Office of International Affairs

Office of International Affairs

As the central office responsible for coordinating the University’s international activity, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) has the mission of integrating a global perspective into the teaching, research, and study abroad programs of the institution. A critical part of the mission is to forge mutually beneficial international partnerships with higher education institutions, including a wide-range of public and private sector agencies and organizations. 

The Office of International Affairs also coordinates the Exchange Visitors Program to assist Academic Deans’ respective Departmental goals and objectives to build and strengthen niche teaching and research capability in highly specialized areas that are globally significant.  The University has officially invited J1 Visa research professors, post-doctoral fellows, research scholars, student non-degree and short-term scholars from twelve (12) countries from our partnering institutions.  At the request of the Academic Deans, the Office of International Affairs facilitates, in part, and coordinates Fulbright Programs and other international activities that strengthen the University’s research infrastructure and intellectual posture.

Under the Office of International Affairs, the Office of International Student Services (OISS) provides assistance to all international students with nonimmigrant status (F1 Visa). The University enrolls international students on F-1 Visas from more than 30 countries each academic year. The OISS is committed to ensuring that international students have a rewarding experience as they pursue their academic and cultural goals at Delaware State University.

The OIA/OISS offers the following services to international students/scholars:

• Financial, academic, social, and personal matters
• Advising on immigration rules, regulations, and responsibilities
• Campus and community activities
• Cultural concerns
• Preparation and processing of immigration documents
• An Orientation for new international students and scholars
• Coordinate and assist faculty, staff, and student organizations to plan and organize international experiences such as International Education Week and Round Table Discussions
• Information on Medical insurance for exchange and international students as well as study abroad participants

The OISS defines study abroad as the means by which students attend a university in a country outside the U.S. to study, earn credits towards a degree and participate in service learning or an internship. The experience may be for a summer, a semester or a year. Our office encourages students to incorporate study abroad into their academic career plan, assist students with their selection and application process, and coordinates programs abroad. The OISS ensures that students who seek an international experience at the undergraduate or graduate levels, are provided with options to meet their financial, academic, and professional goals/objectives. Studying overseas not only allows students to experience another culture, it expands their world knowledge and boosts their self-confidence and independence.  Traits such as these help prepare students for graduate school and the job market in our global society.