International Education Center - Santa Monica College

International Education Center - Santa Monica College Welcome to the Santa Monica College's official International Education Center page! A page dedicated Welcome to Santa Monica College!!

We want to help you succeed and meet your educational and personal goals. Contact the International Education Center ([email protected]) for assistance with:
Immigration and F-1 visa issues
Travel Signatures
Health Insurance questions
Department of Motor Vehicles support
Housing
Verification Letters
Package Program support
Social Security questions

Contact International Counseling (https://www.smc.edu/student-support/international-education/counseling/index.php) for the following:
Academic and Transfer Counseling
Educational Planning
Transcript Evaluations
Course Waivers and Substitutions
Personal Counseling and Referrals
Transfer Application Assistance

Don't forget to follow us on instagram too!

09/15/2026

🌊☀️ Beach Day Recap 🏖️🌴

Thank you for joining us last Friday for our Fall ‘26 IEC Beach Day! 150 SMC international students from around the world joined us to kick off the semester at a fun-filled day at the beach! 🌎💙

Thank you for making memories with us, and we can’t wait to see you at our next IEC event! 🫶

09/08/2026

Do you know about Beach Day this Friday, September 11th? 👀 🏖️

🚨 LAST CALL, SMC INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS! 🚨

WELCOME BEACH DAY IS THIS FRIDAY! ☀️🌊

Join us for an afternoon at the beach with FREE Jersey Mike’s, games, activities, and good vibes! 🥪🎯🩴

🗓️ Friday, September 11
⏰ 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Santa Monica State Beach — just north of the Santa Monica Pier

⚠️ Want FREE Jersey Mike’s? You MUST complete the registration form AND drop off your $10 refundable cash deposit by TOMORROW, Wednesday, September 9 at 3:45 PM at the IEC.

✨ New incoming Winter & Spring students will also receive a FREE SMC beach towel!

📍 Drop off your deposit at the IEC, Student Services Center, 3rd Floor.

Don’t wait—sign up now and come kick off the semester with us at the beach! 🌴🌊💙

Open to current SMC F-1 students only.

InternationalStudents SantaMonica StudyInLA LosAngeles SMCStudents

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! 🌊☀️ We hope you are all enjoying your long weekend!📌Please be advised that the Intern...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! 🌊☀️

We hope you are all enjoying your long weekend!

📌Please be advised that the International Education Center (IEC) will be CLOSED today, Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day. This includes the all counseling services, and no classes will be in session.

We will reopen for normal hours tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8th.

Have a safe and relaxing holiday, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

09/04/2026

🚌🚆 Did you know if you pay your $22.50 Student Benefits fee, you can ride The Santa Monica Big Blue Bus as well as Metro buses and trains all over LA for FREE? 👀💙

Your SMC GoPass gives you unlimited rides and transfers across 20 transit systems throughout L.A.—including Big Blue Bus and Metro! 🌴

📲 How to activate your pass:
1️⃣ Pay your $22.50 Student Benefits fee through Corsair Connect
2️⃣ Get your GoPass eligibility code in Corsair Connect under Fees & Payment → GoPass → Get Code
3️⃣ For the virtual pass, download the TAP LA app and create an account or log in
4️⃣ Add your TAP card to your phone wallet and redeem your eligibility code 🎟️

You can also use a physical TAP card if you prefer! Pick one up at the SMC Welcome Center and register it using your eligibility code.

✨ Pro tip: You’ll need to register your GoPass with a new eligibility code each semester after paying your Student Benefits fee.

Need help? Stop by the Welcome Center on the first floor of the Student Services Center and our friendly student workers can help! 💙

BigBlueBus MetroLA LosAngeles PublicTransportation InternationalStudents

09/01/2026

Looking to meet new people and make new friends? 🌎💬

Join us for Speed Friending — a fun and easy way to connect with fellow F-1 students and expand your international community! 🤝✨

🍕 Prime Pizza and drinks will be provided!

📅 Friday, September 4
⏰ 1:00–2:30 PM
📍 SMC Quad
💵 $10 cash deposit required
🎓 F-1 students only

Come for the pizza, stay for the conversations, and leave with new connections! 💙

Registration is required — scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up.

InternationalCommunity

08/28/2026

🐋🌊 Whale Watching with the IEC!

What a day! Our new F-1 students joined us for an unforgettable whale-watching adventure in Newport Beach. ☀️🌊

From the ocean views and boat ride to incredible wildlife sightings and new friendships, it was such a fun way to explore Southern California and connect with our international student community. 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this day so special! We hope you had as much fun as we did. ✨

Here’s a little recap of our day — and yes, the dolphins definitely understood the assignment. 🐬😉

Welcome to California, and welcome to the IEC community! 🌎💙

SouthernCalifornia StudentLife InternationalStudentLife StudyInCalifornia IEC

08/27/2026

✈️ New international student at SMC or transferring from another U.S. school? Don’t forget to complete your SMC Check-In Form! 🇺🇸

Completing the online Check-In Form is required for F-1 students and is an important step in fulfilling immigration reporting requirements.

📌 When should you complete it?
• Students arriving from overseas: Complete your check-in within 10 days of arriving in the U.S.
• Transfer students: Complete your check-in after receiving your SMC I-20 — even if you’re already in the U.S.!

📄 Have these documents ready:
• Passport
• F-1 visa (except Canadian students)
• I-94
• I-20

💻 Log in to your International Student Portal at iec.smc.edu using your SMC login credentials to complete the form.

⚠️ Don’t forget! If you don’t complete the check-in, a hold may be placed on your SMC account, and your I-20 may be terminated.

Save this post as a reminder! 📲

TransferStudents StudyInUSA

08/26/2026

A new semester, a new chapter, and lots to look forward to 💙

We caught up with some new SMC students and got a glimpse of their excitement as they begin their journey on campus. ✨

🔎 SCAVENGER HUNT IS FULL! 🌴🎉Thank you to everyone who registered for our Scavenger Hunt & Lunch at the Santa Monica Pier...
08/25/2026

🔎 SCAVENGER HUNT IS FULL! 🌴🎉

Thank you to everyone who registered for our Scavenger Hunt & Lunch at the Santa Monica Pier! All spots are officially filled, and we’re excited to see you tomorrow! 🕵️‍♀️🌊

📅 Wednesday, August 26
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

📍 Meeting Point: International Education Center (IEC), 3rd floor of the Student Services Center.

🚌 We’ll be traveling together to Santa Monica via the Big Blue Bus, so please make sure your SMC GoPass/TAP Card is activated before the event.

Need help activating your TAP Card? Stop by the International Education Center before the event, and we’ll be happy to help you get it set up! 💙

Get ready to explore Santa Monica, solve clues, enjoy free lunch at the Pier, and compete for a FREE unlimited Santa Monica Pier ride wristband! 🎢🏆

💧 Don’t forget to bring:
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes 👟
• A hat 🧢

📧 Please check your SMC email for full event details — an email will be sent out shortly!

See you tomorrow! ☀️🌴

🐋🌊 SMC F-1 STUDENTS — LET’S GO WHALE WATCHING! 🚢☀️Ready for a FREE day trip to Newport Beach?! Join the IEC on Monday, A...
08/19/2026

🐋🌊 SMC F-1 STUDENTS — LET’S GO WHALE WATCHING! 🚢☀️

Ready for a FREE day trip to Newport Beach?! Join the IEC on Monday, August 24 for a whale watching adventure! 🐋🐬🦭

✨ What’s included:
🚢 FREE 2–2.5 hour whale watching cruise
🚌 FREE transportation to & from SMC
🎡 Time to explore Balboa Pier + grab lunch
🌴 Beautiful California coastline views

📅 Monday, August 24, 2026
⏰ 9:45 AM–4:30 PM
📍 Newport Beach

🎟️ Spots are LIMITED! Your trip is completely FREE, but a refundable $10 cash deposit is required to reserve your spot. You’ll get your $10 back when you attend! 🙌

👉 To register: Complete the Whale Watching Registration Form by scanning the QR code on the flyer, then drop off your $10 cash deposit (exact change) at the IEC on the 3rd floor of the Student Services Center.

⏰ DEPOSIT DEADLINE: Friday, August 21 at 11:00 AM — space permitting!

🐋 Whales aren’t guaranteed, but we’re sure to see plenty of ocean wildlife, including dolphins and sea lions! 🐬🦭

📧 Questions? [email protected]
📞 (310) 434-4218

Don’t miss out — sign up ASAP and come enjoy a day by the ocean with your fellow SMC international students! 🌊😎

  

Address

1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA
90405

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 12:30pm

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