International Exchange Students

There are some specific instructions for international exchange students who want to apply to Suffolk University. Follow the steps below and get started on your education today!

Application and Acceptance

Students who wish to complete an exchange from one of Suffolk’s partnership universities for a semester or full academic year will need to be nominated by their Home Institution and complete the Suffolk application through the Online Portal.

The deadline to submit to study in the Fall semester or the full academic year is March 15th and October 15th for study in the Spring semester each year. For any specific questions during this process, please email Suffolk University's Exchange Coordinator. 

Obtain an Immigration Document

Suffolk's International Student Services Office (ISSO) will issue your immigration document (DS-2019). This generally takes 2-3 weeks. The ISSO will mail this document via courier service to the address listed on your Suffolk application. Please mail a complete Certificate of Finances [PDF] and a Bank Statement to the Center for International Programs and Services.

Apply for the Student Visa

After you receive your DS-2019 immigration document, you will be ready to apply for your U.S. J-1 visa. Exchange students are allowed to enter the USA within 30 days of their Program’s Start Date.

Determine Housing

Students who wish to live in Suffolk's residence halls must submit a $800.00 deposit. The Office of Residence Life and Housing will contact students who submit a deposit with information regarding the University housing questionnaire and housing assignments.

Students who do not wish to live in Suffolk's residence halls should plan to arrive in the U.S. at least one week prior to orientation in order to locate suitable, affordable housing. Suffolk's Off-Campus Housing Office can assist students in their housing search.

Note: Housing may be available for undergraduate exchange students. Housing is not available for graduate and law exchange students.

Submit Required Health Forms

Suffolk University automatically enrolls students in the Suffolk University Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP). You may choose to use the SSHIP or waive health insurance in favor of your own plan.

Please note: All students at Suffolk University are required to have health insurance and specific immunizations in order to attend the university.

To activate your SSHIP account, follow the instructions laid out by Suffolk. To waive enrollment, please directly contact Suffolk University's Exchange Coordinator for the waiver request form. The deadline to activate your account or waive enrollment falls after the Add/Drop period of each semester.

All international students must also submit their immunization records to the Office of Health and Wellness. Take a look at our complete list of required immunizations and documentation.

Attend Orientation

Exchange students are required to attend two separate orientations (general and international).

For Fall semesters, orientation falls on the week before Labor Day in September, and for Spring semester, orientation is held in early January.

The specific timeline for activities will be sent to students accepted into the exchange program.

Next Steps

On-Campus Housing Info
Off-Campus Housing Info

“I definitely learned a lot from moving to a completely new place/environment where everything was a new experience for me. The professors I had for my classes were great. I also met so many people with different backgrounds, studying at Suffolk was a really fun and insightful experience.”

Leyla Aydin Radboud University, Fall Exchange

“My favorite memory about Suffolk is how the atmosphere at Suffolk was so friendly and welcoming! Students and staff were always ready to help, and happy to see others succeed.”

Danielle Gregory University of Westminster, Spring Exchange

“[My future advice for future exchange students is…] Take any opportunity given by peers to do things in Boston and make use of any activities provided at Suffolk!”

Amar Mann University of Roehampton, Spring Exchange