Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO)

Study Abroad Testimonials

Mandatory for all students studying abroad or away during the Fall 2026, Academic Year 2026-2027, and Summer 2026 terms. 

  • When: May 12, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm (Doors open at 8:45 am)
  • Place: Student Union Theater & Meeting Rooms

Schedule

Open the time slots below for details on the required sessions (9:00 am - 11:25 am). We encourage you to stay for lunch (11:30 am - 12:00 pm) for the optional special topic workshop or meet ups to meet each other and alumni of your host university.
 
  • 8:30 am - Check-In & Registration

    Location: Student Union Theater lobby
    Come early to sign in and meet other students going on your program.

    • Registration: In the lobby, the Registration Team will provide you the Sammy App QR code to register. 
    • Assigned Seating: The Hospitality Team members will escort you to your assigned seating area in the theater.
    • Reminder: No Food & Drinks In the Theater
  • 9:00 am - General Orientation Session (Required for All)

    Location: Student Union Theater
    All students must attend this session to get the key important information and steps to prepare for a safe, educational, transformative, and amazing journey abroad or away. Global Ambassadors will guide you to your seating area.

  • 10:00 am - Breakout Session: For FLP Students (Required)

    Location: Student Union Theater
    All students participating on all summer 2026 Faculty-Led Programs (FLP) are required to stay in the theater following the general session to attend this breakout session.

  • 10:00 am - Breakout Sessions: For All Others (Required)

    Location: SU Meeting Rooms

    All SJSU Exchange, ISEP, CSU IP, Summer School Abroad, and Global Internship Program students are required to attend the breakout sessions by country led by Global Ambassadors and other study abroad alumni. 

    • Oceania & Others (Room 2)
    • Asia (Room 3)
    • Europe (Room 4)

    Tip Sheets:

    Download these country-specific Tip Sheets provided by Global Ambassadors and other study abroad alumni.

    Disclaimer: The contributors and San Jose State University and all affiliated faculty, staff, or administrators  are not responsible for any issues, financial losses, or inconveniences that may arise from following the suggestions in these Tip Sheets.Use at your own discretion.

  • 11:30 am - Special Topic Workshops & Meet Ups (Optional) - Lunch served

    Location: SU Meeting Rooms

    Stay for free pizza to attend any of the optional Special Topic Workshops or meet other students going to the same school or other students who studied abroad there.

    • Meeting: Global Internship Students Only (Required): Meeting for all global internship students going on Academic Programs International (API), The Intern Group (TIG), and WorldStrides with Erin Kelly-Weber and Jeremy Quero to go over some important tips. (Room 5) - view powerpoint
    • Workshop: Academic Approval Process: Tips to get your study abroad courses pre-approved to fulfill your graduation requirements led by Diana Vazquez. (Room 2).
    • Workshop: Managing Your Expenses Abroad: Ways to budget your expenses abroad led by Jasmine Rocha. (Room 3).
    • Meet Ups: By Schools: Meet other students who are going to the same university and/or Global Ambassadors to start building your Spartan community. (Room 4). 
  • All Day - Genius Bar

    Got Questions?

    Submit any questions about study abroad & away process, timeline, etc and get some genius answers from our Genius Baristars (Link: bit.ly/sjsu-genius-bar).

    Questions?

  • 12:00 pm - Final Checklist

    Congratulations on your active participation in your pre-departure preparation. Your success abroad depends on your initiatives to prepare using all resources available to you including the following:

Before You Go

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