International Education Center - Santa Monica College

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International Education Center - Santa Monica College Welcome to the Santa Monica College's official International Education Center page! A page dedicated Welcome to Santa Monica College!!

We want to help you succeed and meet your educational and personal goals. Contact the International Education Center ([email protected]) for assistance with:
Immigration and F-1 visa issues
Travel Signatures
Health Insurance questions
Department of Motor Vehicles support
Housing
Verification Letters
Package Program support
Social Security questions

Contact International Counseling (https://www.smc.edu/student-support/international-education/counseling/index.php) for the following:
Academic and Transfer Counseling
Educational Planning
Transcript Evaluations
Course Waivers and Substitutions
Personal Counseling and Referrals
Transfer Application Assistance

Don't forget to follow us on instagram too!

Hey SMC International Students! 👋🌍Fall is here, and we’ve got an exciting lineup of upcoming trips and activities just f...
10/05/2026

Hey SMC International Students! 👋🌍

Fall is here, and we’ve got an exciting lineup of upcoming trips and activities just for our F-1 students! 🍂✨

Check out the flyer for all the details and scan the QR codes to sign up! 📱👇

Dates:
🎃 Oct 15: Pumpkin Carving
🎬 Oct 16: Academy of Motion Pictures Museum
✨ Nov 9: Disneyland
🏀 Dec 2: LA Clippers Game
🎄 Dec 3: Ornament Decorating (Registration will be opening later!)

How to Register:
1. Scan the QR code for the event(s) you want to attend ➡️ Fill out the Google Form.
2. Visit the IEC Office with your EXACT CASH deposit for each event to secure your spot! 💵
*your deposit will be returned to you when you check in for each event (except for Disneyland)*

We can’t wait to see you there! 🥳

*Events are only open to F-1 students enrolled in the current term

09/24/2026

A little glimpse of what SMC has to offer! 💙✨

We checked in with the Basic Needs department, Study Abroad Program, and Cheer Club at our Fall 2026 Welcome Day last month to give you a little glimpse of the many programs, services, and opportunities available on campus!

There are so many more programs, services, and opportunities to explore at SMC!

📣 Cheer Club: SMC Cheer Club📣
🛍️ Basic Needs: SMC Basic Needs
✈️ Study Abroad: https://www.smc.edu/student-support/international-education/study-abroad-programs/



09/17/2026

We hope you’re experiencing a great start to the Fall ‘26 semester so far! 💙

We caught up with some brand new students who shared why they chose Santa Monica College and what they’re most looking forward to studying at SMC✨

For some, it was the location and the chance to study in beautiful Santa Monica close the beach. 🌴🏖️ For others, it was SMC’s supportive community, welcoming environment, strong programs, or the smooth transition from high school to college.

And for students with their sights set on a four-year university, SMC felt like the perfect place to take the next step toward their transfer goals. 📚🎓

What are they most excited about? Joining clubs, meeting new people, getting to know faculty, discovering campus resources and opportunities, and experiencing both the social and academic sides of college life! 🥳✨

09/15/2026

🌊☀️ Beach Day Recap 🏖️🌴

Thank you for joining us last Friday for our Fall ‘26 IEC Beach Day! 150 SMC international students from around the world joined us to kick off the semester at a fun-filled day at the beach! 🌎💙

Thank you for making memories with us, and we can’t wait to see you at our next IEC event! 🫶

09/08/2026

Do you know about Beach Day this Friday, September 11th? 👀 🏖️

🚨 LAST CALL, SMC INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS! 🚨

WELCOME BEACH DAY IS THIS FRIDAY! ☀️🌊

Join us for an afternoon at the beach with FREE Jersey Mike’s, games, activities, and good vibes! 🥪🎯🩴

🗓️ Friday, September 11
⏰ 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Santa Monica State Beach — just north of the Santa Monica Pier

⚠️ Want FREE Jersey Mike’s? You MUST complete the registration form AND drop off your $10 refundable cash deposit by TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 9 at 3:45 PM at the IEC.

✨ New incoming Winter & Spring students will also receive a FREE SMC beach towel!

📍 Drop off your deposit at the IEC, Student Services Center, 3rd Floor.

Don’t wait—sign up now and come kick off the semester with us at the beach! 🌴🌊💙

Open to current SMC F-1 students only.

InternationalStudents SantaMonica StudyInLA LosAngeles SMCStudents

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! 🌊☀️ We hope you are all enjoying your long weekend!📌Please be advised that the Intern...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! 🌊☀️

We hope you are all enjoying your long weekend!

📌Please be advised that the International Education Center (IEC) will be CLOSED today, Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. This includes the all counseling services, and no classes will be in session.

We will reopen for normal hours tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8th.

Have a safe and relaxing holiday, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

09/04/2026

🚌🚆 Did you know if you pay your $22.50 Student Benefits fee, you can ride The Santa Monica Big Blue Bus as well as Metro buses and trains all over LA for FREE? 👀💙

Your SMC GoPass gives you unlimited rides and transfers across 20 transit systems throughout L.A.—including Big Blue Bus and Metro! 🌴

📲 How to activate your pass:
1️⃣ Pay your $22.50 Student Benefits fee through Corsair Connect
2️⃣ Get your GoPass eligibility code in Corsair Connect under Fees & Payment → GoPass → Get Code
3️⃣ For the virtual pass, download the TAP LA app and create an account or log in
4️⃣ Add your TAP card to your phone wallet and redeem your eligibility code 🎟️

You can also use a physical TAP card if you prefer! Pick one up at the SMC Welcome Center and register it using your eligibility code.

✨ Pro tip: You’ll need to register your GoPass with a new eligibility code each semester after paying your Student Benefits fee.

Need help? Stop by the Welcome Center on the first floor of the Student Services Center and our friendly student workers can help! 💙

BigBlueBus MetroLA LosAngeles PublicTransportation InternationalStudents

09/01/2026

Looking to meet new people and make new friends? 🌎💬

Join us for Speed Friending — a fun and easy way to connect with fellow F-1 students and expand your international community! 🤝✨

🍕 Prime Pizza and drinks will be provided!

📅 Friday, September 4
⏰ 1:00–2:30 PM
📍 SMC Quad
💵 $10 cash deposit required
🎓 F-1 students only

Come for the pizza, stay for the conversations, and leave with new connections! 💙

Registration is required — scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up.

InternationalCommunity

08/28/2026

🐋🌊 Whale Watching with the IEC!

What a day! Our new F-1 students joined us for an unforgettable whale-watching adventure in Newport Beach. ☀️🌊

From the ocean views and boat ride to incredible wildlife sightings and new friendships, it was such a fun way to explore Southern California and connect with our international student community. 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this day so special! We hope you had as much fun as we did. ✨

Here’s a little recap of our day — and yes, the dolphins definitely understood the assignment. 🐬😉

Welcome to California, and welcome to the IEC community! 🌎💙

SouthernCalifornia StudentLife InternationalStudentLife StudyInCalifornia IEC

Address

1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA
90405

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 12:30pm

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