International Education Center - Santa Monica College

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.e

du/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!

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

08/27/2026

✈️ New international student at SMC or transferring from another U.S. school? Don’t forget to complete your SMC Check-In Form! 🇺🇸

Completing the online Check-In Form is required for F-1 students and is an important step in fulfilling immigration reporting requirements.

📌 When should you complete it?
• Students arriving from overseas: Complete your check-in within 10 days of arriving in the U.S.
• Transfer students: Complete your check-in after receiving your SMC I-20 — even if you’re already in the U.S.!

📄 Have these documents ready:
• Passport
• F-1 visa (except Canadian students)
• I-94
• I-20

💻 Log in to your International Student Portal at iec.smc.edu using your SMC login credentials to complete the form.

⚠️ Don’t forget! If you don’t complete the check-in, a hold may be placed on your SMC account, and your I-20 may be terminated.

Save this post as a reminder! 📲

TransferStudents StudyInUSA

08/26/2026

A new semester, a new chapter, and lots to look forward to 💙

We caught up with some new SMC students and got a glimpse of their excitement as they begin their journey on campus. ✨

🔎 SCAVENGER HUNT IS FULL! 🌴🎉Thank you to everyone who registered for our Scavenger Hunt & Lunch at the Santa Monica Pier...
08/25/2026

🔎 SCAVENGER HUNT IS FULL! 🌴🎉

Thank you to everyone who registered for our Scavenger Hunt & Lunch at the Santa Monica Pier! All spots are officially filled, and we’re excited to see you tomorrow! 🕵️‍♀️🌊

📅 Wednesday, August 26
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

📍 Meeting Point: International Education Center (IEC), 3rd floor of the Student Services Center.

🚌 We’ll be traveling together to Santa Monica via the Big Blue Bus, so please make sure your SMC GoPass/TAP Card is activated before the event.

Need help activating your TAP Card? Stop by the International Education Center before the event, and we’ll be happy to help you get it set up! 💙

Get ready to explore Santa Monica, solve clues, enjoy free lunch at the Pier, and compete for a FREE unlimited Santa Monica Pier ride wristband! 🎢🏆

💧 Don’t forget to bring:
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes 👟
• A hat 🧢

📧 Please check your SMC email for full event details — an email will be sent out shortly!

See you tomorrow! ☀️🌴

🐋🌊 SMC F-1 STUDENTS — LET’S GO WHALE WATCHING! 🚢☀️Ready for a FREE day trip to Newport Beach?! Join the IEC on Monday, A...
08/19/2026

🐋🌊 SMC F-1 STUDENTS — LET’S GO WHALE WATCHING! 🚢☀️

Ready for a FREE day trip to Newport Beach?! Join the IEC on Monday, August 24 for a whale watching adventure! 🐋🐬🦭

✨ What’s included:
🚢 FREE 2–2.5 hour whale watching cruise
🚌 FREE transportation to & from SMC
🎡 Time to explore Balboa Pier + grab lunch
🌴 Beautiful California coastline views

📅 Monday, August 24, 2026
⏰ 9:45 AM–4:30 PM
📍 Newport Beach

🎟️ Spots are LIMITED! Your trip is completely FREE, but a refundable $10 cash deposit is required to reserve your spot. You’ll get your $10 back when you attend! 🙌

👉 To register: Complete the Whale Watching Registration Form by scanning the QR code on the flyer, then drop off your $10 cash deposit (exact change) at the IEC on the 3rd floor of the Student Services Center.

⏰ DEPOSIT DEADLINE: Friday, August 21 at 11:00 AM — space permitting!

🐋 Whales aren’t guaranteed, but we’re sure to see plenty of ocean wildlife, including dolphins and sea lions! 🐬🦭

📧 Questions? [email protected]
📞 (310) 434-4218

Don’t miss out — sign up ASAP and come enjoy a day by the ocean with your fellow SMC international students! 🌊😎

  

08/17/2026

VIP Welcome Day is NEXT WEEK! 🎉💙

SMC students, come join us on the main campus next WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25TH and get connected with everything you need to thrive at Santa Monica College! 🌴📚✨

📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026
⏰ 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 SMC Main Campus (1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405)

Meet SMC counselors, faculty, and staff, connect with other students, explore campus resources, and more! 🙌🎓

🎒 Free swag + In-N-Out burgers! 🍔
👨‍👩‍👧 Parents are welcome!

See you next week! 💙

08/03/2026

🚨 Fall 2026 Payment Deadline Reminder! 💳📚

If you’re enrolled in Fall 2026 classes at Santa Monica College, make sure your tuition and fees are paid by this Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time).

⚠️ Students who do not pay by their payment deadline may be dropped from their classes for nonpayment.

🗓️ Adding classes after August 5?
Any classes you add after the payment deadline must be paid for by midnight (Pacific Time) the same day you add the class(es) (or you may be dropped from those classes).

📲 Important: Be sure to log in to Corsair Connect and check your individual payment deadline. Students from certain countries may have a different payment deadline based on their payment arrangement.

CorsairConnect

07/22/2026

🎬 You may recognize this video if you’ve recently attended one of our Information Seminars! 👀🍿

What started as a sprained ankle turned into a very expensive lesson... 😅💸

In this skit, Ye D**e calls an 🚑 ambulance for a non-life-threatening ankle sprain and goes to the Emergency Room instead of Urgent Care. Even with health insurance, the ER and ambulance ride result in a much higher bill than necessary.

💡 Here’s the takeaway:
✅ SMC Health Center = Best option when it’s open
🩺 Doctor’s Office = Best for routine care and non-urgent medical concerns
🏥 Urgent Care = Best for minor injuries or illnesses when the Health Center is closed
🚑 Emergency Room = For true life-threatening emergencies only

One of the most important things to know as a new international student is how to use your health insurance—it can save you a lot of money! 💙💸

💡 Pro tip: Save your health insurance card to your phone, know where the nearest urgent care is, and only call an ambulance in a true emergency.

Questions about your health insurance? Stop by the IEC—we’re happy to help! 🌎💙

CollegeLife StudentTips HealthInsurance WelcomeToSMC

07/20/2026

📞 Call us, maybe? 😉🎶

Have questions about your application, enrollment, counseling, life at SMC, etc etc? We’re just a phone call (or email!) away. 💙

☎️ (310) 434-4218

🕗 Office Hours
• Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM–3:45 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM–12:30 PM

📧 [email protected]

We’re always happy to help! 🌎✨

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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