Our mission in the Office of International Student Affairs is to support, in cooperation with other offices, the educational experience of international and global nomad students, as well as to encourage and celebrate their unique contributions to the campus community and beyond.

The OISA provides a Pre-Orientation for International Students before the all-campus orientation begins. This program includes discussion of cultural issues, academic expectations, regulatory information, campus resources, and social activities that help prepare participants to be successful at Grinnell.

The OISA provides regulatory support for visiting scholars and exchange visitor, and offers on-going support for international and global nomad students, including personal and cross-cultural counseling, a bi-annual newsletter, and regulatory advising and workshops. We also facilitate a non-residential Host Family Program, an International Speakers Bureau, and a weekly English Coffee Hour for non-native speakers.

OISS advises the International Student Organization (ISO), to encourage student initiated educational and social events which promote international understanding and friendship among international and U.S. students.

For more information, feel free to email us or to visit our web site.