Arrival & Orientation
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Arrival and Orientation
You've made the decision to study at Highline and you have your visa in hand - what's next? Come on over! We recommend you arrive in Seattle at least one week prior to the beginning of the quarter. You have a lot to do before you start your academic life, so give yourself some time to relax and get comfortable!
Make Your Travel and Living Arrangements
Once you have received your visa, you can make your flight arrangements. You also need to decide if you want to live in a
homestay,
dormitory, or
apartment and make appropriate arrangements.
Get Settled
Arriving a week or two early will give you some time to settle into your
housing. You can take advantage of the time to check out the city, tour the school and rest from your flight!
Use our student resources page to help you set up your life in Washington. If you need to hook up a telephone, take the bus, search for a job on campus, or find restaurants in the area, look here first!
Take the COMPASS Test
All students at Highline must take the COMPASS placement test before registering for classes. This test will determine your ability in reading, writing and math so you can choose the correct class levels. You should plan to take the test the week before classes begin, but make sure you are not suffering from jet lag! You want to be well-rested for the test in order to get an accurate score.
Attend New Student Orientation
All new students are required to attend an information session the Thursday before the start of classes. The orientation will cover scholarships, medical insurance, international student procedures, U.S. government regulations and other important information.
Read the International Student Handbook
You may have a lot of questions about life in the U.S., and our student handbook can help you be successful on and off campus! Learn about banking, immigration, academic expectations, health concerns, safety, and much more.