Moving to a new city is an exciting milestone, but it can also come with many questions. Where will you live? How will you get around? Where can you buy groceries, find familiar foods, or spend time outside of class?
As you prepare to make Austin your new home, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has resources to help you navigate the city, complete important tasks, and begin exploring everything Austin has to offer.
Arriving in Austin
Many international students begin their Austin experience at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Before traveling, make a plan for how you will get from the airport to your housing.
Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, offer convenient transportation directly to your destination. After collecting your luggage, follow airport signs for the designated rideshare pickup area rather than waiting at the regular passenger curb.
Students looking for a more affordable option can take public transportation. CapMetro Route 20 provides service between the airport, downtown Austin, and the UT Austin campus area. Consider the amount of luggage you have, your arrival time, and the location of your housing when selecting the best option for you.
Visit the ISSS Austin Airport Transportation webpage before your trip for additional guidance, including pickup instructions, public transportation information, and safety tips.
Finding a Place to Live
Just in case you have not secured housing yet, Austin offers several types of housing, including University residence halls, apartments, and cooperative housing. Please note that we highly encourage students to secure housing before arriving in Austin. The best option for you will depend on your budget, preferred location, transportation needs, and whether you would like to live alone or with roommates.
When considering off-campus housing, think about more than the monthly rent. Review the distance from campus, nearby bus routes, utility costs, lease terms, and access to grocery stores and other essentials. Do not send money or sign a lease until you have researched the property and understand the agreement.
UT Austin’s Off-Campus Living Resources can help you learn more about neighborhoods, leases, roommates, and the process of finding housing.
Obtaining Identification
You may use your passport as identification when you first arrive, but many students prefer to obtain a local government-issued identification card.
Students and scholars who plan to drive must apply for a Texas driver’s license. Those who do not plan to drive may apply for a Texas identification card through the Texas Department of Public Safety. A Texas identification card can be used when photo identification is required, allowing you to keep your passport stored securely.
The application process may require your passport, immigration documents, most recent Form I-94, proof of enrollment, and documents showing your current address. Requirements can change, so review the Texas Department of Public Safety’s current instructions before scheduling an appointment. Students should also allow time after entering the United States and registering for classes before visiting a driver’s license office so that their immigration records can be updated.
Visit the ISSS Driver’s Licenses and IDs webpage for additional guidance before applying.
Applying for a Social Security Number
A Social Security number, commonly called an SSN, is primarily used to report wages and earnings to the U.S. government. International students generally need an SSN if they will be working in the United States and receiving payment for that work.
An SSN is not the same as a driver’s license or identification card, and students who do not have employment may not be eligible to apply. Review the ISSS Social Security Number resources webpage before beginning the application process to confirm your eligibility and determine which documents you will need.
Completing Required Immunizations
Before registering for classes, make sure you have completed UT Austin’s immunization and medical clearance requirements. International students must complete the tuberculosis screening questionnaire through Med+Proctor and may also need vaccinations or a TB test.
University Health Services offers special international student clinics each January and August; for fall 2026, clinics will be held Aug. 17, 18, 20, and 21 in the Allergy, Immunization, and Travel Clinic in the Student Services Building. Appointments are required and can be scheduled through the MyUHS/CMHC portal. Students may also receive required vaccines from many doctors’ offices, private clinics, pharmacies, and walk-in clinics, but should confirm that their documentation meets UT Austin’s requirements.
Buying Food and Essentials
After you move into your housing, one of your first priorities will likely be purchasing food, toiletries, bedding, kitchen supplies, and other household necessities.
Austin has supermarkets, department stores, shopping centers, and specialty grocery stores throughout the city. Students can find stores offering products from many cultural and regional cuisines, including Asian, Indian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and European foods.
There are also many restaurants and cafés on and near campus, with options ranging from quick meals and coffee to barbecue, Mediterranean food, pizza, and a variety of Asian cuisines. Exploring restaurants can be an enjoyable way to become familiar with the neighborhoods surrounding UT Austin and connect with new friends.
Visit the ISSS Food and Shopping webpage for suggestions on restaurants, supermarkets, specialty grocery stores, furniture stores, and shopping centers.
Exploring Your New City
Once you have taken care of your immediate needs, make time to explore Austin beyond the Forty Acres.
Austin is known for its outdoor spaces, arts and music scene, museums, and distinctive local attractions. You can swim at Barton Springs, visit the Texas Capitol, explore the gardens at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, see contemporary and Latin American art, or attend a Longhorn sporting event.
Other popular experiences include watching the bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge, enjoying the view from Mount Bonnell, visiting the LBJ Presidential Library, and exploring the parks and lakes surrounding the city. Some destinations require transportation, advance reservations, or admission fees, so review current visitor information before making plans.
The ISSS Exploring Austin webpage offers ideas to help you begin discovering your new community.
Make Austin Feel Like Home
Adjusting to life in a new country takes time. You do not need to learn everything about Austin during your first week or even your first semester.
Begin by becoming familiar with your neighborhood, identifying the transportation routes you use most often, and locating nearby grocery stores, pharmacies, and health care resources. As you become more comfortable, attend campus events, explore different parts of the city, and invite classmates or friends to join you.
ISSS is here to help you throughout your time at The University of Texas at Austin. Visit the Living in Austin webpage for information about transportation, housing, identification, food, shopping, and places to explore as you begin building your life in Austin.
This blog post was contributed by Sarah Chiu, program coordinator on the Intercultural Programs and Initiatives team at ISSS.
