New Students

Welcome to º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½! Whether you have just arrived in the United States or transferred from another US institution, we have some useful resources to help you start your º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ journey on the right foot.

International Student Essentials

All international students at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ are enrolled in “International Student Essentialsâ€�, a course and resource destination in PantherLearn. You must use your º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ log in credentials to access this course page. Please review all the information in the International Student Essential course carefully and reference it regularly. Content includes:

  • Access to º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½â€™s F-1 Student Status Guide
  • Educational materials on US healthcare and your student health insurance plan
  • Resources for adjusting to college and US culture
  • Updates on travel requirements
  • Checklists and reminders

New Student Checklist

Attend New Student Orientation (undergraduates)
 Attend F-1 Student Orientation
 Complete Immigration Check In
 Schedule your first DSO meeting
 Report your US address & phone number to OIE
 Join World Student Club

Life in Columbus, Ohio

To open a bank account in the United States, you will need your passport, I-20, student ID, proof of address, and some money to deposit. The OIE can provide recommendations for local banks, as well as a letter attesting to your student status. A Social Security Number (SSN) is not required for opening a bank account.

While some students may choose to keep their foreign mobile number and rely on apps to communicate in the US, many find it useful to get a US mobile number. You may either visit a US cell phone plan provider to open an account or, you may opt to purchase a US sim card for your phone.

You may also set up your US phone plan before arriving in the United States through a service called . 

All F-1 students at º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½ are enrolled in an international student health insurance plan. You can contact your insurance company to find a primary care provider. Healthcare in the United States functions a bit differently than in many other countries, so be sure to review the Health Insurance module on the International Student Essentials course on PantherLearn.