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International Students

Overview

International students at orientation

We are so excited to welcome you to the University of Rochester community! Our team is here to help prepare you for your arrival in Rochester. We have coordinated special events and activities to help you move in and complete immigration requirements before your peers arrive. Students sponsored by the University of Rochester on F-1 or J-1 student visa are required to attend and students arriving from overseas on other visas or Americans living abroad are invited to attend. If you have any questions please email orientation@rochester.edu.

International Student Move-in Day

Please plan your arrival on campus to take advantage of all the resources we have arranged for you. Move-in Day for Fall 2019 is August 19th.

Your International Student Mentor

You will automatically be matched with an international student mentor. You will be contacted by your international student mentor via email this summer. Your mentor is going to help you transition to the University, the city, and the United States. They will be like your big brother or big sister on campus.

This summer, please email any of the mentors with your questions or just to say “hi”.

Please note: Information below this pertains to Fall 2019 Orientation Arrival.

Early Arrivals (Before August 19)

If you are arriving before August 19, please make arrangements to stay at a local hotel.

Many of the local hotels offer shuttle services from the airport and the University, or you can arrange a taxi, Uber or Lyft to get to campus on August 19. Please see arriving by car, taxi, or hotel shuttle section below for more information.

Please note: You are NOT permitted to move in to your room before August 19.

We will be in touch over the summer. At that time, be sure to send us your arrival information on orientation online as soon as possible. You will be able to find that platform on blackboard.

Arriving by Plane

Transportation will be provided from the airport all day on August 19. We will have shuttle buses running from 9am to 7:30pm. The shuttle bus will take you directly to your area residential office for room check-ins. After that time we will have a smaller service offered to bring you to campus that will be running until 2 a.m. International student mentors will meet you in the baggage claim area to assist you.

Arriving by Car, Taxi, or Hotel Shuttle

Please enter campus through the main entrance on Wilson Boulevard. You will be greeted by a staff member and be directed to your move in area and given directions for parking. Go directly to your area residential office to check in to your room.

After moving in to your room, you will be guided by international student mentors to the "Mini-Expo" to get your student ID, have an immigration check in, meet representatives from University Health Service (UHS), and learn about other essential services.

Sample Schedule of International Student Orientation

August 19: Arrival Day

Move-in day includes the following activities:

  • Immigration check-in with International Services Office (ISO)
  • Mini-Expo to obtain ID cards and access other essential services
  • International dessert reception for students and families
  • Meeting your international student mentor

August 20-21: International Student Mandatory Orientation Programs

Orientation includes:

Late Arrivals (After August 21)

If you are not able to move in on August 19th you should email orientation@rochester.edu.

When you arrive, please go directly to your area residential office to check in to your room. Please note that your area residential office may not be located in your residence hall. Join the orientation activities as soon as possible and contact your International Student Mentor for assistance.