Welcome to the Binghamton University Community!
How are you doing? Are you adjusting well to your Binghamton University experience? Do you have any questions on how to get involved, homesickness, and/or making new friends?
The best way to adjust to living in Binghamton is by getting involved on campus and within the greater community. International Student and Scholar Services, student groups, and various departments offer programs to help students get involved.
Fall 2026 International Student Orientation Pre-arrival videos
If you have not done so already, we recommend reviewing the International Student Orientation Pre-arrival videos on Brightspace and the resources on our website. This information will assist you with everyday life while at Binghamton University. We have also added the orientation presentations to the Brightspace course in the “Content” tab in the green bar.
International Orientation Survey
As a new student, we would love to hear your feedback on the ISSS orientation! Please complete this brief survey; all responses are anonymous and the survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. We will use your feedback to improve our orientation programs in the future.
Fall 2026 International Student Welcome Events
Thursday , August 20 | 2:00-3:30pm | BU Nature Preserve
Join Dylan Horvath, Steward of Natural Areas, and ISSS for a 90-minute guided hike in the Nature Preserve!
NOTE: Limited spots available – please plan to arrive early.
Monday, August 24 | 2:00-3:00pm | Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain, Room 133)
Come join us for the Guide to Financial Wellness session, co-hosted with Visions Federal Credit Union. Learn about personal finances basics like budgeting, credit, saving, and goal setting.
Wednesday, August 26 | 2:30-3:30pm | Old Champlain Atrium (OH 133)
Come join us for the Driving in New York State session, presented by the professional staff at OCCT (Off Campus College Transport). Learn about safe driving practices and important traffic laws in New York State.
Pizza Bites and Tenants’ Rights
Thursday, September 10 | 3:00-4:30pm | Old Champlain Atrium (OH 133)
Join the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and Off-Campus College (OCC) to learn more about the dos and don'ts of renting an apartment off campus!
Other ISSS Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, September 2 | 3:00-4:30pm | Old Champlain Atrium (Old Champlain, Room 133)
International Coffee Hour is a relaxed and informal event. It provides students the opportunity to meet and learn more about each other in a friendly atmosphere. Complimentary drinks and snacks are available for participants. All students are welcome!
Fall 2026 Job and Internship Career Bootcamp
Tuesday, September 1 | 11:00am-4:30pm | UU111 (University Union, Room 111)
The International Student Career Boot Camp is an event designed to help international students elevate their professional presence on paper, in-person or online. International students are encouraged to attend this event to prepare for seeking full-time, part-time, or on-campus student employment. There will be five sessions in the boot camp and students can either attend a specific session/s or join all five. The schedule and details are available here.
Global Networking Group Fall Series
All new international students are welcome to attend any of the events listed below! Feel free to bring your friends too!
Friday, August 28 at 2:30pm - Friend Making Mixer, Old Champlain Atrium
Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00pm - S’mores & Stories, Mountainview Firepit
Wednesday, October 28 at 1:30pm - Pumpkin Painting, Old Champlain Atrium
Friday, November 20 at 3:00pm - Bowling, Union Undergrounds
Like ISSS on Facebook / Follow us on Instagram / Check our upcoming events on B-Engaged.
Check in with ISSS and Get Your Welcome Gift!
Be sure to complete the ISSS online arrival form to complete your required ISSS check-in. If you live off campus you must also complete the US address update form. If you live on campus, you must complete the US phone number update form. If you haven’t visited the ISSS office in person yet, be sure to stop by to pick up your new student welcome gift. ISSS is located in Old Champlain, Floor 1R.
International Health Insurance Fee Waivers
RAs/TAs/GAs with health insurance (NYSHIP or Empire Blue) will not be automatically waived from the standard SUNY International student insurance policy. Any student with an active I-20 or DS-2019 who wishes to file an application for a waiver from the standard international student health insurance plan will need to complete an international health insurance waiver e-form. You will be notified if your waiver is approved and your charges will be adjusted accordingly.
Information about Scams
Be aware that there are multiple scams targeting international students. Review the information below and on the ISSS website for details about these scams and how you can protect yourself.
Many scams claim to be representatives from the students' home country or from individuals claiming to be U.S. government agency officials. These callers often tell a student that they have violated the law in their home country or a U.S. immigration law and must now pay a large amount of money to avoid being arrested or deported. Scam callers can clone phone numbers to appear to be calling from a U.S. government office or even a university office. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other U.S. government agencies will NEVER ask you to transfer money to an individual, pay a fee using security vouchers or gift cards, or provide payment over the phone or online.
Please know that ISSS and the University Police Department are here to help you.
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- If you receive a call like this, you should hang up immediately and call the ISSS during our office hours. Do not provide any financial or identifying information to the caller. We will review your record to assure you that there are no issues, and we can help you in reporting the scam call if you wish to do so.
- If you receive a call like this outside of business hours, you should contact the University Police Department. The caller may threaten you or tell you that ISSS or UPD will terminate your immigration record if you call. This is not true. ISSS and UPD are here to help you. While we hope you won’t experience scams, we are providing this information so that you can be aware if you receive one of these calls or emails.
We hope that these resources are helpful to you as you get settled at Binghamton University, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events! Please feel free to contact us with any programming questions or suggestions.
Welcome again and we look forward to seeing you soon!!
All the best,
The ISSS staff