BTÌìÌÃ

Global Welcome

Congratulations on being admitted to the University of Central Arkansas! We are delighted that you will be joining our international community, which includes more than 400 international students and scholars from 80 different countries.

The Center for Global Learning and Engagement provides an intensive orientation program called Global Welcome at the beginning of each semester for our new students. During this time you will meet fellow international students and receive an introduction to campus, student services, and attend orientation activities. There is a lot of information for new students to know, so please read this full page carefully!

Important Orientation Dates:

Fall 2026 Global Welcome

  • Arrival & Check-InÌýDate: Sunday, August 9th
  • Global Welcome Orientation Week: Sunday, August 9th – Friday, August 14th
  • Classes Begin: Thursday, August 20th

Spring 2027 Global Welcome

  • Arrival & Check-InÌýDate: Sunday, January 10th
  • Global Welcome Orientation Week:ÌýSunday, January 10th – Wednesday, January13th
  • Classes Begin:ÌýThursday, January 14th

Summer 2027 Global Welcome

  • Arrival & Check-InÌýDate:ÌýWednesday, June 2nd
  • Global Welcome Orientation Week:ÌýWednesday, June 2nd – Friday, June 4th
  • Classes Begin:ÌýMonday, June 7th

 

Arriving For Global Welcome

Ìý All new incoming international students will need to arrive on the designated Check-In Day listed above for their first semester with UCA. Specific information and event details will be emailed directly to all new incoming international students for the semester from the Center for Global Learning & Engagement’s Global Welcome team. Below are a few reminders as you secure your arrival details:

  • When buying a plane ticket, you should book your flight ticket to arrive at the .
  • The earliest you may move into your on-campus housing will be on the designated Check-In Day for your first semester with UCA.
  • We will offer a free shuttle service from Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) on Check-In Day. You will be able to request this service by submitting your by the priority deadline.ÌýStudents not arriving on Check-In Day are responsible for securing arrangements for both lodging and transportation to campus.

Early Arrival Options…Ìý

  • Option 1 – You may request to be connected with a “Host Family” that may provide airport pick-up and temporary housing until Check-In Day. This option is only available to students arriving to Arkansas at maximum 3 days before their designated Check-In Day. You will be able to request this service by submitting your by the priority deadline.
  • Option 2 – If your planning to arrive to Arkansas more than 3 days before Check-In Day or do not want to request a host family, you will be responsible for securing arrangements for both lodging and transportation to campus.

Questions? Visit ourÌýArrival DetailsÌýwebpage to learn more!

FREE shuttle service is provided to new incoming international students from Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport to the BTÌìÌÃcampus.ÌýStudents will select one of the shuttle run time-frames listed on their to secure their reservation. A follow-up email will be sent confirming the departure time for their selected shuttle run and other important details.

The availability of our shuttle service is subject to change. Please keep in mind that depending on the number of students arriving at a given time, we may not make any trips back to the airport. The shuttle will be canceled if we DO NOT have any flight information for students at a given time frame.

Once your visa is approved and your flight is booked, apply for campus housing. BTÌìÌÃoffers in-state tuition for international students who live on campus. Students can choose from several campus halls and apartments, which you can take virtual tours of. Virtual Tour →

New students will be able to move into their housing assignments after they check in on Check-In Day. Housing applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. While there will be housing options available for all students who arrive, we encourage students to apply for housing now. Questions? Learn moreÌý→

Please note: Global Welcome requires that new students be here before the semester’s housing contract starts. Because of this, students are chargedÌý per night until the housing contract officially begins. These fees will be assessed to the students’ accounts and will be paid alongside the other tuition charges for the semester.Ìý

Global Welcome Overview

The main part of each Global Welcome will be the orientation activitiesÌýfor new students. During these activities, studentsÌýwill meet other international students, connect to Team Global leaders, take any needed placement tests, register for classes, and learn about BTÌìÌÃand Conway, U.S. academics, and tips forÌýadjusting to American culture.

New students will check in with the Center for Global Learning and Engagement located at 201 Donaghey Avenue in Schichtl Hall on the listed Check-In Day for their first semester with UCA.Ìý During the check-in process, you will:

  • MeetÌýCenter for Global Learning and Engagement staff and Team Global volunteers
  • Receive your orientation name tag and folder with important information and paperwork. You will need to bring these items to each day of Global Welcome
  • Have copies madeÌýof your passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94

During orientation, new students will be divided into teams of 12-15 students based on their student classification. These teams will be led by Team Global leaders. Each team will complete their orientation activities together according to their schedule. We recommend all students complete all activities to have a richer and fuller experience at UCA. Certain activities must be completed before a student can register for classes for the semester. The activities are listed below:

  • Receive MMR immunizations and the T-Spot test. (Required for all students. View more information here.)
  • Take the Accuplacer test (required for first-time freshmen without sufficient ACT or SAT scores)
  • Take the Intensive English Placement test (required for all IEP students)
  • Receive student IDs (required for all new students)
  • Receive an on-campus Post Office Box
  • Learn how to use myBTÌìÌÃand Blackboard
  • Take a campus tour
  • Attend a bank & cell Phone Fair
  • Get to know the services provided by UCA’s Torreyson Library, Center for Writing and Communications, Tutoring Center, and the TREC (the campus gym).

The orientation sessions will feature guest speakers from BTÌìÌÃand the community speaking to new student on the most important aspects of adjustment to life at UCA. Sessions will include:

  • How to stay in active F-1 or J-1 immigration status
  • How to use your student insurance
  • How to succeed academically at UCA
  • What services are offered to BTÌìÌÃstudents
  • How to get involvedÌýat UCA
  • How to adjust to a new culture

Students will receive academic advising based on their student classification.

  • First-Time Undergraduate Freshmen and TransferÌýStudents With 30 Credit Hours Or Less:Ìýwill be advised by the BTÌìÌÃadvising office inÌýHarrin Hall. They will be given their advising appointment times when they check-in. Their team leaders will help them get to their appointments. These students should make sure to read more about the ACT, SAT, and Accuplacer testsÌýhere.
  • Intensive English Program StudentsÌýwill be advised by an IEP staff member after they have taken their placement test. Their team leaders will help them get to their appointments.
  • Transfer Students With More Than 30 Credit HoursÌýandÌýPost-Baccalaureate StudentsÌýwill be advised by faculty in their degree program. They will be given their advising times and locations when they check-in. Their team leaders will help them get to their appointments.
  • Graduate StudentsÌýshould be in contact with their departments to schedule an advising time before they arrive. Their team leaders will help them get to their appointments.Ìý

We want international students to begin their BTÌìÌÃcareer understanding the expectations of academics at BTÌìÌÃand prepared to succeed in the new cultural environment. Students who complete all of Global Welcome will:

  • Connect with fellow new as well returning BTÌìÌÃstudents
  • Understand their immigration responsibilities
  • Begin immunizations and understand health care options available to them
  • Learn how to academically succeed at a US university
  • Meet with an advisor and register for classes
  • Learn how to respond to cultural differences