New International Student Orientation

Overview   

The Global Engagement Center (GEC) holds international student orientation each semester for incoming students. This orientation is required and is separated into two parts. The first is on Blackboard, a virtual platform, to allow students to learn some important information before arriving to campus. Additionally, we will hold an in-person session on campus to clarify expectations and build community. Lunch will be provided. Please see below for information pertaining to arrival preparation and orientation.  

                      Date: In-person orientation will occur August 22, 2025, 9:00am-12:00pm

Please Register for Orientation HERE!

Location of Orientation: Sam Houston State University (main campus), Farrington Building Room 105, 1908 Avenue J Huntsville, TX 77341.

Bring these documents to Orientation: Passport with visa, Initial I-20, I-94 record (find here after you enter the U.S.)

 Note: Failure to check-in at orientation with your documents may result in termination of your SEVIS record and F-1 status. 

International Student Orientation (modules)

Blackboard module access will be available starting August 1, 2025. Complete virtual orientation modules before August 20, 2025. 

Part of International Student Orientation is delivered on Blackboard, as a series of modules. Please see the steps below: 

• ​Step 1:  Use your SHSU username and password to log into https://shsu.blackboard.com. We recommend taking a Blackboard tour. This is the platform that SHSU uses for all course content. 
• Step 2: On the Blackboard "Home" page, you will find two sections titled "My Courses" and "My Organizations." Under "My Organizations," you will see "SHSU New International Student Orientation." Click on it. (Don't see this link? Email gec@shsu.edu)
• Step 3: On the left-hand side of the screen, you will find a tab titled "Modules". Click on it. 
• Step 4: In the Modules section, find Module 1 and click on it. 
• Step 5: Watch Module 1 (each module is 5-15 minutes long) and at the end, you will be prompted to complete a short quiz. 
• Step 6: Complete the quiz. You are required to get a score of 80% or higher on each quiz to move to the next module. 
• Step 7: Complete Module 2 + quiz, Module 3 + quiz, and so on... There are a total of 12 modules.    

Note: The orientation does not have to be completed in one sitting. 

Failure to complete all 12 modules and quizzes by August 1st will result in a registration hold being placed on your account.  

Airport Pick-Up 

 We are offering airport pick-up to new incoming international students (if arriving from outside the U.S.) on a first-come first-served basis. Please note that pick-up is only for students arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and is only offered on specific dates. Your flight must arrive before 4 p.m. to be eligible for the airport pick-up.

Please read the complete guidelines and schedule your pick-up HERE. 

Reminders

                   Arrange your housing: There are many great housing options in Huntsville, but they fill up quickly, so we recommend that you secure housing for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 as early as possible. 

• You will complete your housing application on the MySam portal. 
• General housing rates and meal plan information can be found HERE.
• Private apartment listings in Huntsville can be found HERE; if you have questions about on-campus living, please contact the Residence Life Office. For questions about off-campus living, you can contact Angela Kizzee (936-294-1762, akizzee@shsu.edu). 

Additional Logistics

• • Complete the Tuberculosis Screening Questionnaire HERE  
  • Submit the TB Screening Questionnaire to the Student Health Center patient portal.   
  • If under the age of 22, submit proof of meningitis vaccination HERE or request a waiver through the SHC patient portal.   
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss course registration and to have any account holds removed HERE. You should enroll in a full-time semester course load:  Undergraduate – 12 credits for Fall, Spring, Summer; Graduate – 9 credits for Fall/Spring/Summer. Only 3 credits towards full-time enrollemnt may be taken online.
  • Bearkat Freshman Orientation is only required for new freshmen. Transfer Student Orientation is not required, but strongly recommended. These orientations are offered through the Bearkat Orientation Program, not the Global Engagement Center. Please email orientation@shsu.edu if you have any questions.