Support Services for Strategic International Visitors

Two types of special support are available to international visitors through the OIA:

• A prospective student or family member: Please see the Visitors Center’s schedule of tours. You are free to join a scheduled tour without an appointment. Please note that tours are given only in American Sign Language (ASL). If you need an interpreter or other support to discuss studying at Gallaudet, please submit a completed Visit Support Request Form. The Admissions Office will receive your request and contact you.
• A visitor with a deeper interest in the University: Individuals or groups who want to engage in or share their expertise in training, education, and/or research that will improve the lives of deaf people may be able to arrange for services that support these initiatives during their visit to campus — providing that adequate advance notice is given. Such services, arranged by experts in a particular discipline, include:
  • Meetings with faculty, students, department chairs, program directors, or administrators in a wide variety of fields
  • Classroom observation

OIA can assist with scheduling ASL interpreters through the Gallaudet Interpreting Service and interpreters from outside agencies to translate from a visitor’s native language to English. International visitors are solely responsible for the payment of interpreter costs; this is non-negotiable.

To allow sufficient time to arrange for services of this nature, requests must be made at least four weeks before a visit by submitting a completed Visit Support Request Form.

Note: If you have not acknowledged the receipt of the International Strategic Visitors Program (ISVP) request form, please inform us immediately at Contact here.

Gallaudet receives many requests of this nature each year, and we prioritize requests for services that meet the following strategic goals:

• Expand International Enrollment
  • The visitor is a government or corporate representative or donor interested in opportunities for potential students who may have qualifications to study at Gallaudet.
• Current or Potential International Relationship/Partnership
  • The visit is likely to lead to a partnership with the visitor’s institution or government or a potential donor.
  • The visitor has an existing relationship with Gallaudet University through a cooperative agreement or reciprocal connection.
• Enhance Academic and Intercultural Exchange
  • The visitor is coming for a program of study or research effort that is in line with Gallaudet’s existing programs. For more extended periods, these individuals will become International Special Students or International Visiting Scholar (IVS) program.
  • The visitor will bring substantial two-way benefits to the campus that enrich campus scholarship and internationalization.
  • A past or existing scholarly collaboration between the visitor and a campus unit can be rekindled or enhanced.