International Student Orientation

Get introduced to student life and other topics at the International Student Orientation.

International Student Orientation is mandatory for all new students in F-1 and J-1 student status. This includes transfer students. The next International Student Orientation will be:

Fall 2019: Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 9 a.m. in O'Kelly Hall Room 61 (lowest floor).

Sign up is not required!

You should register for classes before orientation! To register, contact your academic advisor. If you do not know who your advisor is, refer to the Student Advisor Contact sheet in your acceptance email.

Orientation will help you to:

  • Become familiar with UND and the Grand Forks Community.
  • Learn about important academic issues.
  • Access necessary campus resources.
  • Learn about immigration regulations.
  • Learn about health insurance.
  • Learn about employment in the U.S.
  • Meet other new and returning UND students.
  • Experience new cultures.
  • Get acquainted with the International Center and our staff.

What to do BEFORE Orientation

To confirm your enrollment, you must pay a $200 non-refundable deposit (freshman, undergraduate students only) that's applied to your UND bill by the May 1 priority deadline.

You must claim your account before you can pay your deposit, and you must pay the full deposit before you can sign up for Orientation, register for classes and receive your housing assignment. Make sure you pay your deposit as soon as possible!

Visit the Admitted Students page for more information on paying your deposit. Find step-by-step instructions on how to pay your deposit on Campus Connection.

Please see the top of this page for Int'l Student Orientation for date, time, and location. Sign up is not required!

Registration for classes is based on your registration time. You can view your registration time in Campus Connection at least 2 business days after paying your confirmation deposit (new undergraduates only). For step-by-step instructions on registering for classes, visit the Admitted Students page.

If you need help registering for classes, you can also wait for the designated class registration time offered at Orientation.

Register for Early Arrival Housing online prior to your arrival to UND. Early Arrival Housing allows you to live in your residence hall room assignment when you arrive before school starts to attend Orientation. The Early Move-In Application is available on the Housing website. Please note it is an additional cost.

Bring the Mandatory Immunizations and TB Screening Form with you to Orientation! There will be an opportunity for you to turn in your form to a Student Health Services professional at Orientation. If you're unable to turn the form in at Orientation, please send to the address on the form.

What to BRING WITH YOU to Orientation

Make sure you bring the following items to Orientation:

  1. Your government-issued passport.
  2. Your Form I-20.
  3. Your Student ID (EMPLID) card. (If you don't have your Student ID card yet, you'll need to know your Student ID number. This number was provided in your official acceptance letter.)
  4. If you haven't submitted your completed Mandatory Health Immunizations and TB Screening Form to UND Student Health Services, you need to bring it with you to Orientation. It's highly recommended that you submit it in advance so it can be verified.
  5. If you plan to transfer college credits or enroll in upper-level coursework during your time at UND, you must bring a copy of your college transcript(s) to Orientation to help with your registration for classes.

Orientations Available

International Student Orientation is mandatory for all students holding F or J student visas (except Canadians: see below). This orientation will address immigration and employment issues and introduce you to U.S. culture and university life. Please see the top of this page for International Student Orientation date, time, and location.

Canadian Students, like all other international students, must learn about how to maintain their legal status.

As Canadian students often don't face as much cultural adjustment as other international students, Canadian students have the option of attending International Student Orientation Week or an abbreviated orientation for Canadian students. This orientation is only available in the fall and will be held on August 26, 2019 at 9:00 AM in O'Kelly 1.

This orientation will give detailed information on immigration documents, maintaining your status, working in the US, legal considerations, academic success and completing the SEVIS Registration process. Completing a SEVIS Registration process is mandatory.

The School of Graduate Studies holds orientations for all new graduate students and a special orientation for new Graduate Assistants. The schedule for this orientation is available from the School of Graduate Studies.

The New Student Undergraduate Orientation program offers new undergraduate students a chance to get information about classes, faculty, campus, and meet other new students. It's designed to help both incoming freshmen and transfer students make a successful transition to University life.

International students may sign up for this if they are in the United States, but should understand that many elements will not apply to them. Students who choose to attend New Student Undergraduate Orientation  still must attend International Student Orientation.

Welcome Weekend is for all new students in the fall. You're expected to participate in this final step of your orientation before the semester begins.

You can move into your residence hall, meet your neighbors, enjoy excellent programming (for families and students) and participate in the fun social activities that will settle you into your new campus home. Admitted students will get more information late in the summer.