Your experience at Cal State LA is about more than earning your degree and maintaining your immigration status. College is also an opportunity to build relationships, explore new interests, develop professionally, take care of yourself, and become part of the Cal State LA community.
International students are encouraged to take advantage of the many academic, cultural, leadership, career, wellness, and community opportunities available across the University.
Make Cal State LA Your Community
Joining a student organization, attending an event, meeting faculty, participating in research, volunteering, or simply spending more time on campus can help you build connections and make the most of your experience in Los Angeles.
Find Your Community
One of the best ways to meet people and build a sense of belonging is to get involved outside the classroom. Cal State LA has more than 100 recognized student organizations representing academic, cultural, professional, service, recreational, religious, social, and special interests.
Center for Student Involvement
The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) helps students connect with recognized student organizations, leadership opportunities, campus programs, and events. Whether you want to join an existing organization or explore something new, CSI is a great place to begin.
Campus Events and Social Opportunities
Cal State LA hosts social, cultural, recreational, educational, and community events throughout the year. Explore campus programs and opportunities to meet other students and experience campus life.
Explore Social Opportunities at Cal State LA
University-Student Union
The University-Student Union (U-SU) is one of the centers of student life at Cal State LA. The U-SU offers events, programs, recreation, meeting spaces, cultural programs, and other opportunities to connect with the campus community.
Visit the University-Student Union
Lead and Make Your Voice Heard
Associated Students, Inc.
Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) is Cal State LA's student government. Students can participate in campus governance, serve on committees, advocate for student interests, develop leadership skills, and help shape the student experience.
Explore Associated Students, Inc.
Leadership Opportunities
Leadership does not require holding an elected position. Student organizations, campus programs, service opportunities, and University committees provide many ways to develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Connect Across Cultures
Cal State LA is home to students from many cultures, communities, identities, and life experiences. International students are encouraged to build relationships both within and beyond their own cultural and national communities.
The University's Cross Cultural Centers and student organizations provide spaces for community, dialogue, cultural learning, identity exploration, social connection, and campus engagement.
Explore Cultural Communities and Student Organizations
Explore Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities
Working with faculty on research, scholarship, or creative activities can help you deepen your academic interests, build relationships with faculty mentors, develop professional skills, and prepare for graduate school or your future career.
Student Research Opportunities
The Office of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities (ORSCA) connects students with research opportunities, faculty projects, research programs, workshops, and other resources across the University.
Explore Student Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate students can also use the Undergraduate Research Hub to learn how to get started, find faculty research, explore research programs, and connect with the broader Cal State LA research community.
Visit the Undergraduate Research Hub
Graduate Students
The Office of Graduate Studies and Graduate Resource Center provide graduate students with writing support, professional development, funding information, workshops, and resources related to graduate research and degree completion.
Visit the Office of Graduate Studies
Strengthen Your Academic Skills
Center for Academic Success
You do not have to navigate difficult courses or academic writing alone. The Center for Academic Success (CAS) provides academic support to Cal State LA students, including tutoring, writing assistance, and study-skills workshops.
Visit the Center for Academic Success
Research and Library Support
Cal State LA librarians and Student Research Consultants can help you develop research topics, find and evaluate sources, use databases, and understand citation practices.
Build Your Career
Career development begins before graduation. The Cal State LA Career Center can help you explore career options, prepare résumés and cover letters, practice interviewing, find career events, and search for jobs and internships.
Important Information for F-1 Students
Immigration rules apply to employment and many internship or practical-training experiences. Before beginning employment, an internship, paid community service, or another off-campus work experience, make sure you understand whether authorization is required.
Serve and Connect with Los Angeles
Your Cal State LA experience can extend beyond the campus. The Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good connects students with volunteer, service-learning, and community-engagement opportunities throughout greater Los Angeles.
Opportunities include working with community organizations addressing education, food insecurity, environmental issues, and other community needs.
Explore Community Engagement and Service Opportunities
F-1 students should consult ISSO before accepting any paid community-service position or other employment opportunity.
Take Care of Your Health and Well-Being
Adjusting to university life and living in another country can be exciting, challenging, and sometimes stressful. Asking for support is a normal part of taking care of yourself and succeeding academically.
Student Health Center
The Student Health Center provides health care, health education, and wellness services to eligible Cal State LA students.
Visit the Student Health Center
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides confidential mental health support, including counseling and same-day triage services for Cal State LA students.
Visit Counseling and Psychological Services
YOU@CalStateLA
YOU@CalStateLA is a confidential online well-being platform designed to help students manage stress, set goals, improve well-being, and connect with campus resources.
Get Help When Life Gets Difficult
Academic success can be affected by challenges involving food, housing, finances, family responsibilities, or other unexpected circumstances. Cal State LA has resources to help students who need additional support.
Eddie's Essentials
Eddie's Essentials connects students with food-security resources, emergency housing assistance, financial wellness support, and other basic-needs services. Eligibility requirements may vary by program.
Office of the Dean of Students
The Office of the Dean of Students connects students with support when personal or unexpected circumstances are affecting their ability to succeed at the University.
Visit the Office of the Dean of Students
Bring Your Global Perspective to Cal State LA
As an international student, you contribute knowledge, experiences, languages, perspectives, and connections that enrich the Cal State LA community.
We encourage you to engage beyond the classroom and beyond your own national or cultural community. Attend events. Join organizations. Meet students whose experiences are different from your own. Talk with faculty. Participate in research. Volunteer in Los Angeles. Share your perspectives and learn from others.
Global learning happens when people with different experiences encounter one another, ask questions, work together, and build relationships. You are an important part of that experience at Cal State LA.
Have an Immigration Question?
Campus offices can help with academics, careers, health, involvement, and student life. Questions involving F-1 or J-1 immigration status should be directed to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).
International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
Library Palmer Wing, Room 4503
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 323-343-3170