What We Do

The Office of International Services (OIS), under the division of Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs, supports and enhances the international activities and interests of UT Health San Antonio. OIS ensures compliance with immigration regulations, facilitates the entry and retention of international students, faculty, staff, residents, and visitors, and develops opportunities for intercultural education and exchange. In addition, OIS develops and oversees education abroad activities, including international agreement development and management, oversees the International Travel to High Risk Areas requests for the International Oversight Committee (IOC), and provides information and resources to University representatives traveling abroad.

Immigration

OIS provides visa services to the campus community to facilitate the stay of international visitors, including students, staff, faculty, trainees, and observers.   In this regard, OIS stays current with all relevant immigration policies and regulations, and serves as the campus’s official liaison with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of Labor, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), and other federal authorities and organizations.

Education Abroad

OIS works with faculty and students to develop and manage all institutional outbound international programs. Schools and departments may have longstanding organized trips, and new trips may be created through third-party providers by working with OIS. These can be either credit bearing or non-credit bearing trips that provide students valuable international experience while experiencing healthcare systems firsthand in countries around the world.

International Health, Risk, and Safety

OIS is main point of contact for all travel waiver submissions to the International Oversight Committee (IOC) for institutional international travel to high risk areas. Additionally, OIS provides resources, risk mitigation consultation and training, and provides pre-departure orientations for all education abroad trips related to health, risk, and safety abroad.

Programming

OIS provides opportunities for intercultural education and exchange through educational, social, and cultural programs. These programs include on-campus events, such as Diwali, Mid-Autumn Festival, and an Evening in the Middle East, as well as off-campus events that introduce our international visitors to the city of San Antonio, including International Night at the San Antonio Spurs game, a trip to the Majestic theater for a Broadway show, and a Night at the McNay Museum. These events help connect individuals on campus and build a stronger presence that reflects one of the institution’s core values of diversity.

Advocacy and Outreach

Advocating on behalf of the international campus population both within the university and to federal and state governmental agencies, OIS ensures that international visitors are afforded the opportunity to complete their educational, research, and/or professional objectives. We partner with the the International Relations Committee, student organizations, on-campus offices, and the City of San Antonio International Relations Office to offer resources, workshops, and educational information to meet the needs of our population.

image of person holding a Chinese mooncake

OIS Events

OIS partners with other offices and student organizations to offer both on-campus events and off-campus trips within the city of  San Antonio. If you have an idea for an event or would like to partner on a program, please contact our office. A few examples of OIS events include:

  • International Education Week in collaboration with the Campus Internationalization Committee;
  • On-campus cultural events, such as Diwali, an Evening in the Middle East, Dia de los Muertos, and Lunar New Year;
  • Off-campus events, including International Night with the San Antonio Spurs, a trip to a Broadway show, and International Day at the San Antonio Rodeo.

OIS Events by the Year

15
Cultural Events Hosted

30+
Workshops for Visitors and Departments

1,200+
Participants at OIS Events