Being referred to another office is not necessarily a dead end. Often it means the first office handles one part of a larger question. International undergraduates can make the next conversation easier by carrying a short, accurate handoff rather than forwarding an entire history without explanation. The key is to preserve what the first office actually said and make the remaining question obvious.
Begin with the unresolved outcome
Write one sentence describing what you still need. For example, a fictional student might say, “I understand which course fits my academic plan, but I need to know whether a separate ISSS step applies before I change my schedule.” That sentence distinguishes the academic answer already obtained from the international-student question still open. It does not imply that either office has approved the whole situation.
Then add the minimum context needed to understand the referral: who you contacted, when, and the relevant part of the response. Use the office name rather than guessing a person’s title. If you quote a response, preserve its wording and do not remove a condition that changes its meaning. The full thread can stay in your own records unless the receiving office asks for it.
Ask who owns the next step
A useful handoff question is “Which office handles this part, and what should I provide?” It invites a precise answer without demanding that one person solve everything. Undergraduate Academic Advising has an official contact page for finding advising help. ISSS has an international-student advising page. Start with those verified routes instead of relying on a classmate’s saved staff contact.
Keep the two kinds of uncertainty separate. You may be unsure which office is responsible, or you may know the office but be unsure which form or appointment is needed. Say which problem you have. “I cannot find the right request” is different from “I submitted the request and have not received a decision.” Clear language reduces unnecessary back-and-forth.
Use a compact message structure
Your working draft can have four short parts: the outcome you need, the relevant context, the previous response, and the question now. Include a timing concern when it is real, with a concrete date or event. Do not attach passport scans, a full academic history, or unrelated screenshots merely to make the message look complete. Ask what records are needed and where they should be sent.
After the reply, update your private note with the next action and responsible office. If the answer sends you back to the first office, explain the specific loop neutrally. “Office A directed me here for this question; this response seems to direct me back. Could you clarify who handles the remaining step?” is more useful than accusing either office of refusing to help.
A referral is complete only when the next step is understandable, not merely when an email has been sent. Keep submitted, waiting, clarified, and completed as separate states in your notes. This publication cannot contact offices for you or resolve a university case, but a careful handoff can make your own conversation more focused and less repetitive.
Official sources and scope
Source review: November 11, 2026. This independent article offers organizational suggestions, not immigration or legal advice. Current university instructions and advice for your circumstances take priority.