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Support Services for International Students

As an international student, you can take advantage of the support services we offer to help with your transition to life in Syracuse.

Center for International Services

The Center for International Services will help to ensure your success at Syracuse University. The center offers supportive services and programming to international students and their families, including a comprehensive orientation program to assist with your adjustment to life at Syracuse University. It also provides guidance to help you maintain compliance with immigration regulations and requirements. Before you arrive in the United States, the center will provide you with documents to help you obtain your student visa.

The English Language Institute

The English Language Institute (ELI) provides English courses at five levels from beginner to advanced proficiency. Through home visits, trips, films and lectures, you will be exposed to situations that promote English acquisition. Students who successfully complete Level 4 at the ELI will have the TOEFL or IELTS admission requirement waived by Syracuse University. The program is open to students who are at least 17 years old and can prove they have finished secondary school, and who have been admitted or conditionally admitted to Syracuse or another American university, or have a good reason for studying English.

International Ambassador Program

These current international students will help you adjust to life on campus. They will take you on campus tours and share their experiences and advice with you.

Local Partnerships for Global Students

We offer this unique opportunity in collaboration with Onondaga Community College (OCC) to ensure your success at Syracuse University and beyond. OCC is an accredited institution in the City of Syracuse. It grants two-year associate’s degrees, and the University works very closely with OCC each year to enroll students at Syracuse University. The Local Partnership for Global Students enables international students selected by Syracuse to pursue a Syracuse University degree while improving English language and academic skills during the first half of the collegiate career, which will take place at OCC. The length of collegiate study and type of degree will be the same as if starting at Syracuse University; however, the path to Syracuse University will be like that of a transfer student.

Benefits

  • The selected applicants will have the opportunity to strengthen English language and study skills at OCC while still pursuing a degree.
  • Participants will pay OCC tuition for the two years enrolled there, significantly reducing the total cost of the Syracuse University degree.

Program requirements are provided to international applicants to Syracuse at the time of invitation to participate. If you are selected for the Local Partnerships for Global Students program, you will follow the Community College Partnership criteria Syracuse University has established with Onondaga Community College.