International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
ISSS assists international students with the application process, handles visa and reporting requirements, and helps you make the most of your academic experience here.
ISSS requires that all new international students attend an online international student orientation. This is your gateway to a wealth of essential knowledge for a successful transition to life at UMD, and a comprehensive understanding of the academic and social resources on campus. Participating in the online ISSS orientation is a practical way to gather vital information that will facilitate your adjustment to the new campus environment.
Before the start of classes, ISSS hosts welcome events to help you become familiar with the UMD campus and community. You can register for these events on iTerp one month before classes start. More information about these activities can be found in the Tip of the Week email. The welcome events and international sudent orientation will be announced as the Fall semester nears.
International Teaching Assistants
All international students who will be serving as teaching assistants (ITA) in the Fall, including fellows, may be referred to take an English course with University of Maryland English Institute. Appointed ITAs who have already achieved certain scores on the speaking subsections of the TOEFL or IELTS tests will be cleared for teaching. To be cleared, the ITA must have achieved a score of 24 or higher on the Speaking sub-section of the TOEFL, or a score of 8.0 or higher on the Speaking sub-section of the IELTS, or a score of 80 or higher on the speaking subsection of the PTE. The department will contact you if this requirement applies to you.