Big Data
International Student Programs
Welcome to the Cal Poly Community!
Learn about and participate in International Student Programs to assist with adapting to life at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and California.
Welcome Ambassadors Program
The International Welcome Ambassador Program offers various cross-cultural group events and social activities each quarter bringing together both international and domestic students. Examples of past events include s’mores on the beach, karaoke night, pumpkin carving, Thanksgiving dinner, and a trip to Santa Cruz, California.
The ambassadors provide an invaluable support system that assists new international students with adapting to life in California.
Sign-up to be assigned an ambassador
All international students and scholars will have the opportunity to sign up for an International Welcome Ambassador and will be emailed an introduction to the program before they arrive. International Welcome Ambassadors keep in contact with their assigned students and meet them as soon as possible after their arrival on campus or may even offer to pick up their students at the SLO airport.
If you are an international student or scholar who would like to be assigned a International Welcome Ambassador but have not received an email, please email intlservices@calpoly.edu
Apply to become a Welcome Ambassador
Requirements
- Good academic standing and positive role model with positive disciplinary record
- Must be able to attend the fall Welcome reception in September
- Must be able to attend training and be in San Luis Obispo as early as August to meet their international student
Preferred
International students and study abroad returnees are highly encouraged to apply because these students have been through this experience themselves.
Contact intlservices@calpoly.edu if you are interested in applying to be an International Welcome Ambassador and we will place you on an interest list for the next application cycle, which opens in February/March each year.
Timeline
Winter
Students are recruited to be Welcome Ambassadors
February/March
Application cycle opens
Spring
Students begin participation
Meet the Welcome Ambassadors
We currently have some amazing International Welcome Ambassador Volunteers! These students have dedicated their time to assist international students with settling in to Cal Poly and the local area.
International students will have the opportunity to meet many of our IWAs throughout the year by attending IWA events.
Poly Hosts Program
The International Poly Hosts Program helps foster connections between Cal Poly International students and the Cal Poly community. International students will get the opportunity to experience life in the local SLO community through occasional visits with their Poly Host's home, going out to see a movie together, meeting at a coffee shop, or celebrating family or holiday occasions.
Poly Hosts will in turn gain a deeper understanding of other cultures while also having the opportunity to share their culture.
A Poly Host is a Cal Poly staff or faculty member who has volunteered their time to get to know one, two or even three Cal Poly international students.
Become a host
Cal Poly staff or faculty interested in participating should contact Bianca Silva at bsilva14@calpoly.edu
Apply to be hosted
This program is open to all current international students. Please submit an online student application found on your International Student Hub to be considered for this program.
Matches can sometimes be made within a couple weeks after submitting an application or you may be placed on a wait list.