New Student Orientation
Please Note: International Student Orientation is mandatory for all new international students.
International Student Orientation Dates for New Students Beginning in Fall 2008
Monday, August 11
Date by which new international students should arrive in Iowa City.
Tuesday, August 12 to Friday, August 22, 2008
Dates of International Student Orientation.
Undergraduate students will be scheduled for academic advising appointments as part of their orientation.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Fall classes begin.
Orientation Program Schedule
Attendance at Orientation is Required
Please note that attendance is expected at all orientation sessions during the week of August 12-15 as well as on the assigned academic orientation and advising session the following week. The registration hold that is placed on new students is removed only when they have attended the necessary orientation program.
Students who must unavoidably arrive late will be required to attend late orientation sessions which may result in a delay before they will be eligible to register.
Early Check-in
Students who arrive early may complete an early check in at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) during the week of August 4-8. Students must bring all their immigration documents as noted below to OISS between 1:30 and 3:30 pm for the early check-in.
What to Bring to Orientation Check-in
- Your passport
- Your I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students) and all forms from prior institutions
- Form I-94 (the small white card you completed when you entered the United States)
- Any other immigration documents received for dependents in F-2 or J-2 status.
New Student Welcome Center
The Office of International Students and Scholars will operate a Welcome Center where students can obtain information on the campus and community at times that the office is not open. The Welcome Center is a place to connect with student and community volunteers who will assist you with questions and provide you with resources needed upon arrival. Exact dates, times, and location of the Welcome Center will be posted in mid-July. The center will operate on the weekends of Aug. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17, as well as evenings on Aug. 4-8 and 11. Weekend hours will be from noon to 8 p.m. and evening weekday hours will be from 5 to 9 p.m.
SPECIAL NOTE ON HOUSING
Due to recent flooding in the Iowa City area, we will not have the normal pre-semester housing options for new students. However, the Office of International Students and Scholars is accepting applications for pre-semester homestays with hosts in the Iowa City area. Students interested in applying should review the homestay guidelines and submit an online application.
English Proficiency Evaluation
If you are required to sit for an English Proficiency Evaluation,
one will be scheduled for you. The $30 fee for the test will be added to your first University bill.
Orientation Fee
All graduate international students who are required to go through international student orientation are charged a fee of $185. This is added to your University bill for the spring semester. Undergraduate orientation charges are included in the undergraduate acceptance fee.
Questions About Orientation
Questions on orientation should be addressed to the Office of International Students and Scholars, telephone +1-319-335-0335 or email ip-oiss-orientation@uiowa.edu.