During the International Student Orientation (ISO), you’ll meet UAC staff and other international students, learn about practical resources and aspects of Korean culture, and more.
Before classes start, our International Student Diplomats will take you on a tour of campus and the local neighborhood.
The schedule for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 ISO will be updated in the near future.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Yes, students who are not citizens of Korea are required to attend. Partial attendance will not satisfy the requirement. Students unable to attend for circumstances beyond their control should contact the International Programs Coordinator immediately (katie.wells@utah.edu).
- We will cover information about the following topics:
Immigration rules and compliance
Campus resources
Acculturation to the UAC, Songdo, and Korea
Culture Shock and UAC Mental Health ResourcesWe will also introduce you to the International Student Diplomats, which is a group of UAC students eager to support international students and help with their adjustment to campus and living in Korea.
If you do not attend the orientation sessions, you will receive a hold on your University record. A “hold” prevents you from doing some things because you did not meet a certain requirement. The orientation hold will prevent you from registering for classes and receiving your transcripts. To remove the hold, you must attend the next available orientation date (which may be at the beginning of the next semester). Please try your best to make arrangements to attend orientation so that you do not get a hold. If you have an unavoidable conflict or if an emergency situation occurs that prevents you from attending orientation, please email the International Programs Coordinator (katie.wells@utah.edu) as soon as possible so we can help you find a solution.
Please bring the following items with you during Day 1 of orientation:
Visa Application Materials
35,000 KRW cash for your visa fee
An official passport photo (please follow TSA passport-photo guidelines)
Your completed visa application
If you have any questions about your visa requirements, please email our Immigration & Visa Specialist, Jung A Seo (junga.seo@utah.edu), directly.
We also recommend that you bring a notebook and pen with you to take notes as we will be providing lots of important information to ensure a successful transition to your life in Korea and at the Utah Asia Campus. We will provide a folder with resources about UAC, the orientation schedule, and local information.
You are always welcome and encouraged to meet with the International Programs Coordinator (katie.wells@utah.edu) or the Immigration Specialist JungA Seo (junga.seo@utah.edu) to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have, especially regarding immigration. To make an appointment, please send an email to Katie or Jung A with your available dates/times to meet.
GENERAL UAC QUESTIONS
- First-semester Utah students are required to attend the New Student Orientation (usually the Thursday after the International Student Orientation). During the New Student Orientation, first-semester students will learn about how to register for courses and are then given access to register for courses the next Friday.
- Transfer Utah students can make an appointment with the UAC academic advisors to determine when course registration is possible. Click here to make an appointment (note: you will need to have your Umail and uNID activated).
- Learning Abroad Utah students are able to register for classes once their campus location in CIS is switched to UAC status. While not required, Learning Abroad students from the SLC campus can make an appointment with a UAC academic advisor by clicking here. For questions, please contact the International Programs Coordinator.
UAC students need to have at least one semester at the University of Utah to establish their Utah GPA before they’re permitted to cross-register.
In addition, students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and UAC freshmen must complete mandatory advising and UGS 1010.
- Register for a minimum of 12 credits from the UAC to maintain full time status.
- The UAC Academic Advising Center will share with students a list of pre-approved courses available from other IGC schools in July and February for the fall and spring semesters respectively.
- Review possible cross-registration candidate courses from sister institutions.
- Fill out cross-registration forms from whichever relevant IGC university. For a GMU application, you need to submit a copy of your passport.
- Schedule an advising appointment with Suhyen in the Academic Advising Center by clicking here.
- Processing of IGC university course cross-registration can take up to three weeks. Continue checking your Umail for the partner institution’s ID number and further instructions.
- Take the course and send an official transcript from the partner institution to the U of U Salt Lake admissions’ office.
The Registration Card is a form of identification expatriates in South Korea are required to have.
International students studying at the Utah Asia Campus on a D2 visa must apply for the Registration Card within 90 days of arrival to South Korea. Failure to apply for an RC may result in legal penalties against the student.
The UAC’s Immigration Specialist will help book students’ immigration appointments with the local immigration office to apply for their RC. UAC staff will assist international students in visiting the local immigration office.