The International and Exchange Student Center (IESC) provides approximately 2,900 international students with immigration advisement and provides cross-cultural programming to positively underscore important issues of diversity. In addition, IESC provides services to the study abroad and exchange programs through allowing students the opportunity to explore another country and/or another institution within the United States.

IESC provides services to all international students after they have been formally admitted to the University. The office will assist international students in: (1) referring them to the appropriate departments for academic advising in General Education and their major field of study, (2) complying with the laws and regulations of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and (3) assisting with students’ academic or personal concerns. An international orientation program for all new freshman, transfer and graduate students also is offered each semester.

The office also coordinates cultural and social events so that international students can share their national heritages with the campus educational community. Student Panels for an International Curriculum and Education (SPICE), a weekly coffee hour on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. and the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars are some of the highlights of the IESC.

Opportunities to both study abroad or to take a semester to attend another U.S. campus for a semester or a year on exchange through the National Student Exchange program (NSE) also are available through this office. To qualify for admission to the California State University International Programs (CSUIP), students must have Upper Division or graduate standing at a CSU campus by the time of departure. Students at the sophomore-level may, however, participate in the language acquisition programs in France, Germany and Mexico.

California Community College transfer students are eligible to apply to the CSUIP directly from their community colleges after they have applied to CSUN and have been or are in the process of being admitted to the University. Students also must possess a current cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program for which they apply. Some programs also have language study and/or other coursework prerequisites.

To qualify for admission to the National Student Exchange program, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Through National Student Exchange, CSUN student have access to more than 190 campuses nationwide. Students can participate in this program for one semester or a maximum of one academic year.

Students may also apply to short-term international exchange programs through campus-based exchanges, participate in the Fullbright program, or apply for Chinese government scholarship programs, which provides them with the opportunity to study in China.

Additional information and application materials for all programs may be obtained at the International and Exchange Student Center.