641-269-3703

The mission of the Office of International Student Services (OISS) is to support, in cooperation with other offices, the educational experience of international students and the goal of internationalizing the campus. The Office of International Student Services provides a pre-orientation (Orientation for International Students-OIS) for international students before the all-campus orientation begins. This orientation includes discussion of cultural issues, academic expectations, immigration information, campus resources, and provides social activities that help students get acquainted. OISS will meet all new students when they arrive at the Des Moines airport if we are notified in advance of the students flight plan.

New students who are US citizens living abroad are welcome to attend Orientation for International Students (OIS) as well. Please contact the Office for more information and to learn if the pre-orientation may be beneficial.

The Office also provides on-going support for international students, including personal and cross-cultural counseling, the Host Family Program, newsletters, employment and immigration workshops, international speakers and programming, off-campus trips and activities over break, and the International Speakers Program.

OISS also co-sponsors the International Student Organization (ISO). ISO provides educational and social events designed to promote international understanding and friendship among international and U.S. students. You may e-mail the office for more information at strong@grinnell.edu or alexandj@grinnell.edu