Arrival Information for Exchange Students

All exchange students starting the Fall 2025 program must arrive in time to attend the required new exchange student sessions that are part of our new student orientation. 

  • Exchange students are non-degree seeking students on a short-term Education Abroad exchange program at CU Boulder approved by their home institutions.

    The Exchange Student Meeting & Immigration Essentials session will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
  • Plan on arriving in Boulder no later than Saturday, August 16, 2025 to ensure you are able to attend this required session. 

Check our new students page for more information on arrival and our orientation.

Your IdentiKey serves as your secure entry point for online services and information you'll need now and later as a CU Boulder student. Activating your IdentiKey will give you immediate access to the scholarship application once you confirm your intent to enroll. You will need your IdentiKey for the mandatory Online Experience as well.

Activate Your IdentiKey 

Note: It typically takes three to five business days after you activate your IdentiKey before you can access these services.

All CU Boulder faculty, staff and students receive a CU Boulder email account. We will use this account to communicate with you, so please use your IdentiKey to log in and start using it daily.

Log In to Your CU Boulder Email 

Off-Campus Housing

Please review the Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations website for helpful information, including the Ralphie’s List rental database, campus map, and the Off-Campus Living Orientation.

On-campus housing is limited, and the application dates for the Fall 2025 semester have not yet been determined. ISSS recommends that you seek housing off-campus.

You will be able to access  Ralphie’s List rental database if you log in as a guest. You will be able to access the database using your Identikey in October.

Our campus has a culture of off-campus living for most students who have not recently graduated from high school. We share this with you because we have a very robust off-campus community surrounding our 2-mile campus and an office dedicated to supporting CU students as they seek off-campus housing. We encourage you to contact Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations to understand the off-campus options and resources available to exchange students.

Accommodations in Bear Creek Apartments are extremely limited. You must apply as soon as possible (after being officially admitted to CU Boulder for the Fall 2025 term.)

Please review the Exchange Student Enrollment and Billing Handout for information about registering for classes at CU Boulder. Students in J1 status MUST be enrolled in in person courses.

Please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee that you will get into a specific class while at CU, so you must discuss alternative classes with your home institution advisors before you arrive.

Please review the international student pre-arrival information on our website along with the Exchange Student Checklist.

All students attending CU Boulder are required to have health insurance every semester of their program.

Students may elect coverage through an individual health insurance plan, through a family member or employer, or the university’s Student Gold Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). If you opt to purchase CU's Student Gold Health Insurance Plan, YOU MUST CONTACT studentinsurance@colorado.edu and request to be enrolled in the plan

Exchange students are exempt from the requirement to submit proof of insurance and/or waiving insurance with Health Services to CU Boulder. Please disregard requests to WAIVE your insurance. However, you are required to submit proof of insurance after you arrive in Boulder.

If you wish to use the Wardenburg Medical Services, you must purchase the BuffCare Supplemental Coverage Program.

You are required to submit proof of insurance coverage to ISSS along with the other required information and documents after arriving in the U.S. You may provide proof of personal insurance if it meets the following requirements:

  • Program participants and their dependents are required to have medical insurance coverage with the following minimum benefits [22 CFR 62.14].
    • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
    • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
    • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
    • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

  Health Insurance Requirement          New Student Immunizations & Requirements 

Your Buff OneCard serves as your campus identification. Please submit your Buff OneCard photo. Depending on your student status and choices, it may also:

  • Have your meal plan loaded on it
  • Allow you to pay for laundry and printing
  • Give you access to your residence hall and room
  • Allow you to gain entry to the Rec Center and sporting events

Upload Your Buff OneCard Photo 

New international students at CU Boulder must complete the Immigration Check-In form, which is available through your MyISSS portal and is to be completed only after arriving in the U.S.

The Exchange Student Meeting & Immigration Essentials session will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2025. 

  • Plan on arriving in Boulder no later than Saturday, August 16, 2025 to ensure you are able to attend this required session. Check our new students page for more information on arrival and our orientation.