Orientation Schedule

• Schedule
• English Proficiency Exam
• Orientation Video Series
• IU Survival Guide Presentation

Schedule

We are excited to meet you during International Student Orientation and welcome you to the IU Family!

Please refer to your Checklist on iStart. (The checklist provides a comprehensive list of steps that you will need to complete. It includes topics such as your immigration documents, your arrival to Bloomington, International Student Orientation, and housing. Note that certain items on the checklist may be released at certain dates, so check back often.)

In completing your Checklist, you will enter two dates:

1. Your arrival date to the US. Please remember that you must enter the US by the arrival date on your I-20.
2. Your arrival date to Bloomington.

When you finish your Checklist, your personalized orientation schedule will be generated based on your US arrival date, your Bloomington arrival date, and the orientation dates for your program and level of studies.

You will be able to create your schedule about two weeks before orientation starts. Your schedule will then be emailed to you, and you will be able to print it off as well. Your schedule will be tailored to your specific needs (depending on your degree program) and will schedule you for sessions based on the availability at the time you finish the checklist.

You must plan to be available for all required sessions, and your schedule cannot be changed.

Attendance at the International Student Orientation is mandatory for all undergraduate, graduate, and exchange students. Students will not be able to register for classes until they attend the orientation program.

Future orientation dates: NOTE: orientation can last 3-5 business days.

Please bring the following documents to orientation:

• Passport
• Visa stamp
• I-94 card (you will receive this document when you enter the US)
• All original I-20s or DS-2019s (Transfer students: Please bring all of your I-20s or DS-2019s from previous schools!)
• Admission letter containing university ID
• Printed copy of your orientation schedule
• Final, official copies of your academic records and degree certificates or diplomas (must bear the stamp or seal of the issuing institution)

International Student Orientation will consist of the following required activities (Information regarding the time and place of all of these events will be on your orientation schedule):

• Welcome from a senior OIS staff member.
• Document Check (An OIS advisor will review your immigration documents.  Please have all your documents with you—see above)
• “Staying in Status: Visa Do’s and Don’ts” session
• “IU Survival Guide” session (Topics include: insurance, student groups, money, cars, music and sporting events, financial aid, and more!)
• English Proficiency Exam (Required for all undergraduates and transfer students, as well as graduate students who have not been waived from this requirement by their department)
• TB Testing

Undergraduates will also participate in the following activities during orientation:

• Math Skills Assessment (required for all undergraduate students)
• Optional Placement exams
• Academic Advising
• Course Registration

If this will be your first time studying in the United States, you may want to consider attending a pre-departure orientation in your home country. These orientations are organized by this website, which is a network supported by the US Department of State. To locate pre-departure orientations in your home country, please visit this website and click on "Pre departure Information."

As you begin your preparations to come to IU, you may have questions about a variety of topics. Please send your emails to newtoiu@indiana.edu. Include your full name and student ID number so that we may assist you. The Office of International Services looks forward to welcoming you to campus and Bloomington!