The Office of Global Education (OGE) functions as a resource center for international students and study abroad opportunities. We are committed to providing the highest quality of guidance for non-immigrant visa holders authorized to engage in scholarly activities or academic studies, as well as for potential, current, and returned study abroad participants.
The OGE also administers exchange agreements, faculty-led programs, and processes students for all SUNY-wide programs. Our dedicated resources provide guidance and orientations for participants while promoting study abroad programs as dynamic and life-changing experiences.
Featured Programs
Study Abroad and International Internships
We offer a diverse range of study abroad opportunities, enabling you to gain international experience and broaden your academic horizons in a summer, semester or full-year program. Plus, we offer a variety of scholarships to help make your study abroad dreams a reality.
Faculty-Led Programs
Our short-term faculty-led programs let you earn academic credit while exploring new cultures and diving into specialized learning — all without the long-term commitment of a full semester abroad! These unique courses are offered throughout the year and vary by location, department, and cost.
Exchange/Visiting Students
We have exchange agreements with many institutions allowing exchange and visiting (fee-paying) students to apply for a semester or academic year at SUNY Oneonta.
International Student Services
- International Student Support - we hold specialized workshops of significance to students on topics such as health insurance, maintaining F1 and J1 status, optional practical training/work permit information, advice on student visas and regulations, as well as information on community service.
- International Student Advising - our International Student Advisor helps international students understand immigration and visa regulations and advises on other student issues relating to immigration, cultural adjustment, and campus resources.
- “American Discovery” - International Student Acclimation Course (GEOG 120) - A seminar-style, 3-credit course specifically designed to assist new international students with their academic and cultural acclimation to American geographies and environments. This course incorporates field trips to culturally significant sites such as Niagara Falls and Boston, as well as more local cultural sites. The course is offered if there are sufficient enrollment numbers and may not be offered if student enrollment is too low (typically always offered in the Fall, and sometimes offered in Spring)
- International Student Peer Mentor Program - Our peer mentors help new international students adjust to college life, overcome obstacles in their education and in their lives, utilize campus resources, and take part in a college living environment. Peer Mentors help with airport pickups and orientations, provide guidance to new students throughout the first semester, and coordinate activities for international students. Peer Mentors can be U.S. students who have studied abroad or returning international students. Meet our Peer Mentors
- Cultural Excursions - we sponsor approximately two to three excursions each semester for international students to experience different parts of the surrounding Northeastern region of the U.S. Locations in the past have included Cooperstown, Albany, Niagara Falls, and New York City. The OGE also informs students of various excursions being offered through organizations on campus (i.e. Broadway Musical trip to New York City, Outdoors Programs trips for camping, skiing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting).
- Events & Workshops - we offer a variety of cultural events and workshops to support international students, such as holiday-themed events, work authorization (OPT & CPT) and tax information workshops, international movie nights, and other Peer-Mentor led activities. These events give international students an opportunity to meet each other and other SUNY Oneonta students, as well as learn about different cultures and ways of life. The workshops provide valuable information that international students may need throughout their time in the U.S.
English Language Learners
Our faculty understand that language learning is a difficult and cumulative process, and our ESL curriculum allows students whose English skills are already good enough for admission to SUNY Oneonta to be able to polish their skills even further. Our ESL courses enhance the learning process and can also provide an avenue for conditional admission to SUNY Oneonta, as supplemental ESL work might be necessary for a successful transition and integration into classes with native speakers. Admission dossiers of new degree-seeking or exchange students are reviewed by our ESL team, and placement testing upon arrival to campus may be required to determine whether ESL classes will be necessary. SUNY Oneonta offers a flexible curriculum in ESL to meet the individual needs of each of our students.
In the fall, SUNY Oneonta offers a class at the intermediate-high level in Continuing ESL I (ESL 1065, 3 s.h.). This course is designed to strengthen English speaking and writing skills at the college level. Class sizes are small and focused on reinforcing the skills necessary to perform well in the college-level courses COMP 0012 or COMP 1000 – Composition, as well as to support the content courses that students will take in their major program.
Each spring, we offer Continuing ESL II (ESL 1066, 3 s.h.). This course is designed to polish student skills with the spoken and written language even further, to support our international students on their way to success here at SUNY Oneonta.
Every semester, we also offer credit-bearing classes in ESL Conversation (SILP 2001 or 2002, 3 s.h.), which use an innovative model of peer-led conversation groups under the supervision of a professor. SILP 2001 is offered in the Fall and SILP 2002 is offered in the Spring semesters.
- The SUNY Oneonta Heritage Language Institute (SOHLI) program embraces multilingualism and fosters a linguistically diverse campus by offering courses, programs, and a supportive space for English language learners.
- The Student Learning Center (SLC) on the second floor of the library is a supportive environment that includes the Writing Center for help with all aspects of strategic writing and provides peer tutoring, study skills, reading and math and time-management strategies.
- The Foreign Language Lab in Room 302 Schumacher Hall (third floor) has generous hours and is equipped with multimedia ESL software for private, independent study outside the classroom experience.
- There’s no better way to get quickly adjusted to the U.S. than volunteering – a major part of American culture. Volunteering on and off campus enhances speaking and listening skills, provides a network of opportunity to establish friends with similar values and balances one’s academic life with interesting and life-changing experiences. The Center for Volunteerism and Community Engagement in 128 Hunt Union has numerous opportunities for the international student and welcomes applications year round.
- Many of our international students benefit from conversation partners – Oneonta students and community members volunteering their time and talent to help with academic matters or just to share cross-cultural understanding.
Upcoming Events
Contact the Office of Global Education
Global Education
Tel: 607-436-3369
Fax: 607-436-2760
globaled@oneonta.edu
Schedule a Meeting (Non-SUNY Oneonta students)
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Mailing Address
Hunt Union Rm. 128
SUNY Oneonta
108 Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820
USA
Follow us on Instagram @sunyoneonta.globaled