Newly Admitted Students

What to Pack

• Copies of your immigration documents: Carry these items separate from your passport and original immigration documents (Passport, I-20/DS-2019, Visa).
• Letter of acceptance from Tulane: Keep it accessible in your carry-on in case the United States Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP) request to view it at your port of entry into the United States.
• Money: Bring enough accessible money(approximately U.S.$900)in cash, debit cards,or travelers checks for initialliving expenses such as food, household items,and transportation. Please note that while traveler’s checks are a safer way to bring in money, they are hard to cash in shops and may need to be done in a bank.Textbooks are quite expensive in the U.S. Budget for U.S. $300 to $600 for books per semester after the initial semester.It is NOT recommended that you bring large sums of money with you in cash and you are not legally allowed to enter the U.S.with more than $10,000 in cash. If you do bring substantial amounts of money with you, we strongly recommend that you open a bank account as soon as possible for safe-keeping.
• Your driver's license/international driver's license: These can be used as alternative forms of ID.(Once you are settled in the U.S. and if you’re not planning on getting a local driver’s license, we do suggest you acquire and use a State ID so that you can keep your other personal documents somewhere safe)
• Photographs, souvenirs, music, crafts, videos, picture books, recipes and clothing from your home country: You can use these items to share your culture with your friends and during campus festivals. Research what the weather in New Orleans is like throughout the year.  Remember that you might be away from home for an extended period of time and it's always good to come prepared.

Additional information about packing and setting up a dorm room

Transportation and Parking in New Orleans

There are various ways to move around New Orleans.  The convenient Tulane Shuttles are free and take you to vital locations throughout the city.  If you're not driving, the city is also quite accessible by bike, bus, and of course our signature street car!  Click on the button below for more information.

Learn More Here

New Orleans Visitor's Guide

There are few places in the U.S. with the same cultural and historical significance as New Orleans.  As international students you will be living in the epicenter of incredible food, music, festivals, and various other forms of entertainment.  During your time at Tulane not only will you be working towards your academic goals, but you will also be discovering the many faces of this vital American city.

Learn More Here

Being Safe in New Orleans

Like many places around the world, it is important to know how to be safe and also becoming acquainted with the different cultural norms around that. Tulane University has it's own Police Department (TUPD), and you will be getting information during your orientation and throughout your time at Tulane regarding this topic.

Learn More Here

Registering for classes

As international students it is required that you are pursuing you are taking a full course load/satisfying the full-time student requirement. Most of you will have probably received e-mail from your academic departments and advisors.  It is important that you communicate with them in order to make sure that you are able to register for courses.

• Undergraduate Students - Visit the Advising Center for more information.
• Graduate Students - Contact your department directly.
• J-1 Exchange Students in the Business or Law School - Contact your department.
• Other J-1 Exchange Students - Contact Dolores Hemphill (dhemphil@tulane.edu) in the Advising Center.

Remember that you need to complete your immunizations before being able to successfully register for courses.

Academic Integrity

Academic rules and expectations differ greatly among cultures. Learn more about academic integrity and your responsibility as a student in the Tulane community. 

Learn more here.

Making the most out of your academic experience

Learn about US classroom culture and resources at Tulane University that you can you excel as as student.

Learn more here.

All incoming international students and scholars go through the orientation process in which we cover the topic of cultural adjustment.  The information that is given to prospective students can be found here. The information below has been used by the University of Texas and a few other universities, however it efficiently summarizes the process.  We have also inserted a few other links throughout to better explain this topic. 

Cultural adjustment

Living in a culture that is different from your own can be both an exciting adventure and a challenging process. Regardless of what country you are from, it is common for all international students to go through a period of cultural adjustment. Understanding this adjustment process and getting support through this transition will help you to have a more fulfilling experience, both academically and personally.

Culture shock

The values, social norms, and traditions in the U.S. may be very different from beliefs about "how things should be" in the country where you grew up. When individuals move to another culture, they naturally carry their own background and life experiences with them, and these shape how they perceive and adjust to their new environment. For example, some of you may find American classroom culture easy to adjust to, while others may struggle significantly in this area. "Culture shock" is a common experience that describes the feelings of confusion, stress and disorientation that occur when entering an unfamiliar culture. Keep in mind that not everyone has the same reactions to cultural adjustment and may experience the symptoms of culture shock in varying degrees, and at different times. Common reactions to culture shock include:

• Extreme homesickness
• Avoiding social situations
• Physical complaints and sleep difficulties
• Difficulty with coursework and inability to concentrate
• Becoming angry over minor irritations
• Significant nervousness or exhaustion

For more information on the different stages of cultural adjustment, Princeton University has compiled this resource with more information on each stage.

Strategies to help you cope with the adjustment process

Culture is relative: Culture is relative, which explains why individuals from different cultures may perceive American norms differently. For some, the American communication style may seem too direct, while others may find it not direct enough. As an international student, you will be exposed to many new customs, habits and ideas. Try to avoid labeling them as "good" or "bad" according to the culture you are from. Remember that there may be parts of a culture you dislike or disapprove of, but these are part of a broader social system, and therefore make more sense inside that system.

Be open-minded and curious: Adjusting to a new culture does not mean that you have to change your own values, but it is important to respect those of other people. When you find yourself in an unfamiliar situation, try to think of it as a new adventure. Allow yourself to be curious about the way things are perceived and done in this new environment.

Use your observation skills: Since you will encounter unfamiliar rules and norms, observing how others are acting in situations can help you understand what behavior is expected of you. Pay attention to both the verbal and nonverbal communication of others in order to get a more complete picture of what is going on.

Ask questions: Ask for help when you need it. Asking for assistance or an explanation does not have to be considered a sign of weakness. Understanding others and making yourself understood in a new language (or context) requires lots of rephrasing, repeating and clarification. It may be helpful to ask questions like "as I understand it you are saying... Is that correct?"

It's ok to experience anxiety: Learning to function in a new environment is not easy. It is natural to feel anxious or frustrated sometimes. The key is to remind yourself that these feelings are normal and are likely to be situational and temporary.

Give yourself (and others) permission to make mistakes: You will inevitably make mistakes as you explore a new culture. If you can find the humor in these situations and laugh at them, others will likely respond to you with friendliness and support. Keep in mind that others will probably make mistakes, too; when someone makes an inaccurate assumption or a generalized statement about your culture, it may be due to a lack of information. If you're comfortable with doing so, this can be an opportunity to share information with others about yourself and your culture.

Take care of your physical health: Be mindful about keeping a healthy diet and getting enough exercise and rest. Try to find an activity that you enjoy and make it part of your routine. Being physically active can help reduce your stress level.

Find a cultural ally: An American friend (or another international student who has been in the U.S. for several years) can be a great consultant on cultural expectations. When you have questions or need a second opinion on something, this person can help clarify confusions and provide support as you adjust to your new environment.

Seek out support from other international students: Many international students find it helpful to discuss their concerns with others who are going through similar transitions. Talking with others about their adjustment to the new culture can provide ideas and insights about your own experience. *

Be patient: Don't try to understand everything immediately The process of adjusting to a new culture requires time. It may also require a different amount of time for different areas of adjustment. Try to encourage yourself to be patient with this experience and not be overly critical of yourself.

Adapting to a new culture is an ongoing process. It may be challenging at times, but most students who experience culture shock agree that going through this transition helped them to learn more about themselves and to develop greater confidence in their ability to navigate new situations. It can also lead to a renewed appreciation of one's own culture. There are many people in the university community who are available to provide you with support. Keep in mind that you do not have to struggle alone. 

If you need further support we encourage you to either contact us or CAPS for Counseling Services.

Arriving in New Orleans

The New Orleans International Airport is located approximately 10 miles from Tulane. You can take a taxi or the airport shuttle to the university.

The airport shuttle costs $24.00, and tickets can be purchased by the door near the baggage claim exit. You can only take the airport shuttle to specific destinations, including Tulane and some hotels downtown. Taxis costs about $36.00 and are located outside the baggage claim area. Please note that it is customary to tip at least 10% to your taxi driver. Click here for more information.

Ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also available in New Orleans.

Arriving at Tulane

Maps

• Uptown Campus map
• Downtown Campus map

Submit Immunizations: If you have not already done so, please follow the instructions to submit your immunizations here: https://campushealth.tulane.edu/patient-portal/immunization-compliance. You will not be able to register or move onto campus until you complete this step!

Get Your Tulane ID: Visit Card Services in Room 107 of the LBC (Building #29) to get your Splash Card. Downtown students, please go to Tidewater Building, Room 802.

Open a Bank Account: It is recommended that you open a bank account because it is not safe to store cash in your apartment or residence hall. If you have checks, you will need to deposit them immediately so that they have time to “clear” (be verified by the U.S. bank) before you withdraw funds to pay your bills. Whitney Bank has a branch on campus, and Capital One, Chase, and other banks are available near campus.

Photocopy and Safeguard Your Documents: Make copies of your passport, visa page, and I-20 or DS-2019 immediately and keep them in a safe place separate from the original documents. It is much easier to replace lost or stolen items if you have a copy of them.

Emergency Planning: It is important to educate yourself about Tulane's emergency plans and to make a play yourself in case of hurricane evacuation. Click here to learn more. 

Moving into Residence Halls

Learn more

Multi-Cultural Student Organizations

Tulane students have formed a variety of multi-cultural student organizations. A great way to adjust and get involved in campus life is by participating in these student organizations. Below are a few examples of such organizations.

The Tulane International Society (TIS)
TIS focuses on bringing an awareness of global affairs to Tulane's campus, especially relating to issues that affect women's lives around the world. They organize discussions, speakers, and culture-sharing events that touch on a multitude of interests and majors, including Public Health, Latin American Studies, African and African Diaspora Studies and International Development. In doing so, they strive to create friendships and connections between international students and the greater Tulane community. TIS ultimately serves as a forum for the exchange of culturally and intellectually stimulating ideas, discussions, and projects. For more information, email tulaneinternationalsociety@wave.tulane.edu.

Indian Association of Tulane University (IATU)
Spreading the culture, traditions, and arts of India at Tulane University

Queer Student Association (QSA) 
Formerly known as MOSAIC, the LGBTQA student organization seeks to improve the lives of LGBTQ students on campus.

Muslim Students Association (MSA)
MSA seeks to gather Muslim students in a variety of religious, social, and educational events, as well as to serve the student body and community at large. Our major events are: providing Iftaar dinners during Ramadaan, lunch meetings to educate the student body about Islam and its relevance to medicine, and an annual “Fast-a-thon” charity drive and banquet.

Tulane African Students Association (TASA)
Dedicated to spreading the culture and traditions of the many African cultures represented at Tulane.

Tulane Chinese Student Association (TCSA)
Opening a channel of communication for members (mostly Taiwanese), as well as play a meaningful and visible role among other organizations and clubs at Tulane

Tulane Chinese Students & Scholars Association (TCSSA)
Dedicated to broadening communication between the Tulane Chinese community and various other cultural, academic and professional communities in the greater New Orleans area

Tulane University Vietnamese Association (TUVA)
Committed to exposing and promoting the rich Vietnamese culture to the diverse community of Tulane

Click for a Comprehensive List

The OISS hosts a special orientation program designed to cover all of the information that you need to know as an international student, whether this is your first time in the U.S. or you have studied here already. The orientation also provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet other international students and it is a great way for you to begin your Tulane experience.

International Student Orientation is designed to help you:

• Adjust to academic and social life at Tulane:
• Comply with government regulations pertaining to your stay in the U.S.:
• Learning about on and off campus resources and support services;
• Learn how to navigate the campus;
• Become comfortable with the local community and U.S. culture; and
• Meet people from around the world.

Studies show the benefits of participating in orientation programs.  Faculty members and advisors see a marked difference in the preparedness and success of students who have participated in orientation.

All international students must attend International Student Orientation.  

Please plan accordingly and make sure you attend orientation and also note that you may also be required to attend other orientation sessions for your academic program.  If this is the case, you will be notified by your academic program of the time and location.

F-1 Student Orientation                   J-1 Student Orientation

You must check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) through the iGlobal portal upon arrival. Failure to check in can result in the termination of your student status. See the instructions on the Arrival Checklist to prepare for check-in. Read the information below to learn how to check-in after you arrive at Tulane.

iGlobal Instructions

To access iGlobal and complete the check-in process, you will need the following:

• Your Tulane username and password. Your username is the first part of your Tulane email, name@tulane.edu. Your password is your email password. This information was emailed to your personal email account when you were admitted to Tulane. If you have not received a Tulane email, please visit your department for assistance.
• Your Tulane ID number. This number was also emailed to your personal email account, and it appears on your Tulane ID card (Splash Card). Uptown students can get their Splash Card at the LBC, Room 107 (Building 29), and downtown students can get their Splash Card at Tidewater, Room 802 (Building 3).
• Clear images of your passport (biographical page, visa page, and entry stamp), and I-94. Scanners are available at the Howard Tilton Memorial Library (Building 60), or you may take clear pictures with your smartphone.
• Your local address. This must be a residential address, not a P.O. Box.

Below is the link to the check-in form:

• Check In (Required): https://iss.tulane.edu/istart/controllers/client/Login.cfm?serviceid=EFormCheckIn0ServiceProvider 
  • Make sure you click on the Check-in form and NOT the Address/Update Form
  • Please allow 3-5 days for review.  You will receive an e-mail either approving or denying your submission.  If your submission is denied you will get instructions on how to correct it.

You will also have access to an address/update form.  You do not need to fill in that form if you’ve already submitted your check-in form.  You can submit it at a later time if any of your information has changed and you need to update us.

If you have difficulties logging into iGlobal, please contact the OISS at oiss@tulane.edu or 504-865-5208.