SPS International

Below you will find information, tools, and opportunities available to you as an international student at the School of Professional Studies.

Incoming Student Webinars:

Working in NYC: Jobs, Internships, and Career Advice with SPS International- COMPLETE
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 9:00 am EST
View the Recording
Hear from Diane Spizzirro, Assistant Dean at the Career Design Lab, on how to find on-campus employment and prepare for the NYC internship market — a process that often begins in August, before the semester even starts. You'll also hear a Q&A with a panel of current SPS students who have successfully secured internships and on-campus jobs, and are ready to share what worked for them.

Finding Your Home in NYC: Housing Q&A with SPS International
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | 9:00 am EST
View the Recording
Learn from Kwesi Alleyne, who walked through on-campus housing options and shared practical guidance for navigating the off-campus rental market in NYC. You'll also hear directly from a panel of current SPS students living in dorms, apartments, and other NYC arrangements — with real tips to help you find the setup that works best for you.

Affording NYC with SPS International
Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 9:00 am EST
Zoom link: https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/j/98966946004?pwd=bgpQYJ8z2vrQLexWZZFlMK9zOY2NWv.1
Join us for a practical session with Trudy E. Stapleton-Truglia, Manager of Financial Aid Client Services, who will share budgeting strategies and tips for managing your finances while living and studying in NYC. You'll also hear directly from current SPS students and staff who will share their own experiences and insights on making the most of your money in the city.

International Student Hardship Fund

International students who are facing unanticipated costs due to travel complications or the cancellation of travel, may request support. For example, unanticipated expenses may be incurred related to costs arising from unexpectedly remaining in the US for the summer. Students who wish to explore options to utilize University housing should indicate interest on the Fund application form.

To be considered, your application must clearly:

Explain how your situation involves unexpected travel or visa-related costs
Demonstrate how these circumstances created financial hardship
Specify the exact expenses requested (up to $2,500), including estimated amounts

International Student Humanitarian Fund

Grants are available to students from countries undergoing hardship as identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in their Special Student Relief list and World Health Organization Humanitarian Crises list, both of which are updated when new events warrant the inclusion of a country and/or region. Countries and regions currently covered are:

Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Northern Ethiopia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Israel, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen.

SPS Tutoring Program: Tutoring is intended to complement classroom instruction and promote student success by creating educational environments that encourage independent learning and individual growth. The program’s core services include subject-based tutoring and English Language tutoring. Appointments are offered both virtually and in-person.

Writing Center: In one-on-one consultations and workshops, consultants offer feedback and strategies to help you improve at every stage of your writing, from brainstorming to final drafts.

English Conversation Tables: These provide students with an opportunity to improve their confidence speaking English both inside and outside of the classroom. This three-day event takes place during the week prior to the start of both the fall and spring semesters. All three days of the program have their own theme and purpose, but come together to form a comprehensive program.

Informational Handouts:

● How to Talk to Faculty

● Faculty Advising: A Conversation Guide for Students

● Local Places to Eat (handout from International Orientation 2025)

● Academic Integrity

● Time Management - The Promodoro Technique

For additional resources, visit the Academic Resource Center.

The Career Design Lab (CDL) supports students and alumni from Columbia University, School of Professional Studies with individualized career coaching sessions that cover overall career assessment, resume & cover letter writing, internship & job search strategies, personal branding, interview skills, career transitions, salary negotiations, and more.

SPS Talent is a job board posting site for top companies around the world, which also hosts CDL events.
Professional Associations can provide you with valuable opportunities for growth and networking within your industry, ultimately boosting your professional reputation. Here is a list of some of the NYC associations by SPS program.

Columbia University Events: Other schools, centers, and institutes across the University offer events that are open to CUID holders or to the public. You can view a full list of those events here.
SPS Events: You can view the full calendar of SPS public events on the SPS Events page or on SPS Engage.
Prior SPS International Event Recordings:

Advanced Academic English for Graduate Students: Use this to brush up on your English and get ready for the demands of graduate studies with a summer advanced language course. Practice presentation and discussion skills and get feedback on how to improve your accuracy, fluency and intelligibility.
Take a semester-long part-time advanced English course in fall or spring to focus on Listening & Speaking skills or Pronunciation.
Access expert help with writing and speaking from ALP faculty through SPS English Language Tutoring.

Career Design Lab site for On Campus Jobs: On campus employment consists of Federal Work-Study and Casual Jobs. Please look at this site for new opportunities across campus!
SPS Emergency Fund: Established by the Division of Student Affairs, the fund assists SPS students experiencing financial crises due to unanticipated emergencies. It aims to prevent small emergencies or unexpected expenses from disrupting degree completion. The fund is limited and not for ongoing expenses. Students are eligible for one award during their enrollment.
Student Financial Planning: The Office of Student Financial Planning provides financial aid information and services, including document collection and counseling, for students in the School of Professional Studies.
Open a US Bank Account: Advice from ISSO on what you will need to open a US Bank Account.
Apply for a Social Security Number: A Social Security Number (SSN) is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a federal agency, and is used primarily by employers and employees for tax-reporting purposes only. The employer needs to withhold taxes on your earnings using your unique number, and you need your social security number when you file a tax return.
Avoid Common Scams: International students and scholars at Columbia and across the U.S. report receiving fraudulent phishing emails, texts, and imposter phone calls demanding money for a variety of fake reasons. These include unpaid taxes, immigration status or visa problems, identity theft of their SSN, phony employment opportunities, deliveries / shipments, and currency exchange. Do not respond to unsolicited job offers! Don't be a victim!

The ISSO website has a list of services available and the answer to almost every question you may have regarding your visa and student status. We’ve broken down some of the most frequently asked questions and provided links to exactly where on the website you can find the answers:

We are excited to welcome you to the School of Professional Studies (SPS) and look forward to seeing you at Orientation. It is expected that all incoming students to the School of Professional Studies participate fully in their Orientation.

Fall 2025 International Student Orientation took place on August 26, 2025. To view the recording, click here.

The International Student Peer Mentor Program for Fall 2025 is in full swing! The program connects continuing international students with the incoming international student population to share knowledge, forge connections, and make the transition to studying in the United States an easier (and more enjoyable!) experience. Mentors will be provided with guidelines and training to ensure they can provide the best experience for our incoming international students.

Expectations of the peer relationship include:

Meeting at least once a month,
Sharing your experience as an international student at SPS/CU,
Directions and resources for academic success,
Directions to the appropriate office (Advising, Student Wellness, etc.) for answers to specific questions.

Applications for being a peer mentor for the Spring 2025 semester will be available later this fall. Please email spsadvising [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (spsadvising[at]columbia[dot]edu) with any questions.

Columbia University Student Groups: You can search for University-wide student groups on this page. Example: if you search for “Chinese Students” the “Chinese Students Club” will appear.
School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Student Groups: You can reach out to the student groups directly to ask to join their group and/or be added to their event newsletter if appropriate.
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS): You can reach out to the student groups directly to ask to join their group and/or be added to their event newsletter if appropriate.
Toastmasters is an educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills.

SPS International

Academic Resources

Career Success

Columbia University and SPS Events

English Language Support & American Language Program (ALP)

Financial Resources for International Students

International Student Services Office (ISSO)

New Student Orientation

Peer Mentorship

Social Networking and Professional Success

If You Have Any Questions