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International Student Orientation

Note: to find a location, you can access the UNF campus map.

Orientation Day Schedule

Orientation Dates
Term Orientation Date
Fall 2024
August 17, 2024
Spring 2025
January 4, 2025 

 

Orientation Schedule
Time Activity
10:00 - 10:45 am
Welcome and UNF Campus Tour
 
Meeting point: Building 58 | Student Union Plaza
 
Note: Please plan on arriving at least 15 minutes before 10:00 am. The campus tour will depart from the Student Union Plaza at 10:00 am.
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Orientation Presentation for J-1/F-1 Students
 
Location: TBD
 
During this presentation we will cover important topics such as J-1/F-1 non-immigrant visa regulations and responsibilities, enrollment requirements, and on-campus employment.
 
Please bring the following items/information to orientation:
  • DS-2019 (J-1 students)/I-20 (F-1 students)
  • Passport and visa
  • Local U.S. address (You will know this at time of move-in to UNF Housing, if you are living on campus)
  • Phone number 

 Note: Light snacks will be provided

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 
Walmart Shuttle
Students have the opportunity to take a free shuttle to Walmart Superstore. This shuttle will be accompanied by a current UNF student to offer support while new students shop. The shuttle will return students to their campus housing or the Student Union.
The shuttle is voluntary, if students do not need shuttle services they are welcome to end their orientation day at 1:00 pm.

Arrival to UNF

When making travel plans, please keep in mind that you may only enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date on your Form I-20/DS-2019.

We strongly recommend that our students fly into the Jacksonville International Airport, located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Airport code: JAX.

 If you will be arriving from out of the country, we recommend that you have a carry-on bag with all your essentials such as medications, toothbrush, and a change of clothes for a day or two, to take and keep with you on the plane. Students have had their luggage delayed (quite frequently) or have had their luggage lost (rarely).

PLEASE KEEP ALL IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS WITH YOU ON THE PLANE; DO NOT PUT THEM IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE. You will need these documents to process through immigration when you arrive in the United States.

JAX Airport offers free Wi-Fi, for communication or arrangement of ground transportation once you arrive to Jacksonville.

Where to go once you have arrived to the Jacksonville International Airport: Please note the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), is located approximately 25 miles from the UNF campus. There are different ground transportation options from the airport to campus that you can use.

For students who have secured a housing assignment prior to their U.S. arrival:

Before arriving in the U.S., you must make arrangements with the Housing office to pick up your room key. To pick up your key, you might be asked to show a photo ID. Your passport is a valid form of identification that can be used to pick up your housing key.

Most international students are placed in The UNF Osprey Fountains. This is the address where the driver should take you: 4654 Osprey Ridge Road Jacksonville, Florida 32224.

* In case you need to ask for directions or need assistance, you can call the Osprey Fountains front desk 24-hour assistance at 904-620-5000.

You will receive an email from Housing with instructions on how to complete your Room Condition Form (RCF) upon move in. You must complete this form to avoid being charged for damages at move out. Keep in mind that your UNF housing fees are due prior to your arrival. You can pay now for your housing fees online through your myWings account.

First night:
Please note that your dorm room will NOT have any bed linens (sheets/blankets/pillow) or towels.  On your first night of arrival we recommend that you bring a blanket to sleep with, and a bath towel as you will not have any bed linens on the night of your arrival.

Transportation Methods

Uber (downloadable app)
  • Sign up here: Get Uber app
  • You can share a fare with friends or take you own ride
  • Fare estimate to Ospreys Fountains: $20/$27

Lyft (downloadable app)

  • Sign up here: Get Lyft app
  • You can share a fare with friends or take you own ride
  • Fare estimate to Ospreys Fountains: $24/$32 plus airport fee

Marked Taxis

Shuttle Service

Share ride or ride with other students.
Reserve here: Visit Super Shuttle Website

  • Fare estimate to Ospreys Fountains:
  • Single Passenger in Shared Van: $40 total
  • 1-3 passengers: $70 total
  • 10 passengers: $90 total

Immunization Form

Prior to your arrival at UNF, please make sure you have submitted your immunization record(s) to the UNF Office of Medical Compliance. If you have not submitted your immunization record(s), you will not be allowed to register for classes.

Registration Holds

Please log on to myWings account and check your student account for any registration holds. You will need to clear your holds in order to register for classes. Many of the holds are informational holds you must read a statement about and agree/disagree to. One hold is due to an interactive safety and awareness program called Campus Clarity. You may access and clear your holds, including Campus Clarity, via your MyWings student portal.

The online Campus Clarity course can be completed in one hour. To complete the course:

  • Log in to your myWings account.
  • From the Student tab, locate the My Records channel.
  • Access the course through the Campus Clarity link.

If you are having issues with your myWings account, please contact the UNF Help Desk at (904) 620-4357. If you have a question about any hold on your account, please reach out to the office responsible for that hold - this is listed with a phone number next to each hold. If for any reason you are not able to complete Campus Clarity, contact the International Center as soon as possible.

Health Insurance

All international students are required to have medical insurance while studying at UNF and have an insurance "hold" placed on their accounts. Students have the option to either (1) enroll in the UNF Health Insurance plan or (2) purchase an alternative health insurance plan. You will not be able to register for classes until you have cleared this hold.

Questions on health insurance requirements should be directed to the Medical Compliance office at medical_compliance@unf.edu.

 

University Payment Deadlines

For any university payment deadlines please check with each specific office. We recommend you pay your student charges before the deadline. You may pay by personal check (UNF does not accept international checks), travelers checks, credit card (online only), or cash. UNF accepts all major credit cards. For credit card payments, please pay online by logging into your myWings account. There is a video that shows how to pay charges via your myWings account.

Get Connected

International Students who have been admitted to UNF will be added to the “Becoming an International Osprey” Canvas course. This course provides valuable resources for navigating UNF as well as a means to connect with other international students. We also invite you to follow the International Ospreys Instagram account so you can stay up to date with all the student events and activities hosted by the International Ospreys student club.

Back to International Students Overview