Your orientation experience is an important part of learning about your new home. All undergraduates and most graduate students will participate in an orientation.
Set yourself up for success at IU
Orientation for undergraduate students
Prepare for a successful and rewarding experience at IU Bloomington with New Student Orientation (NSO) for undergraduate students.
You’ll build a community with new international and American students when you take part in a wide range of social activities. You’ll learn about IU’s incredible academic experience and register for classes when you meet with your academic advisor. And you’ll explore the wide range of resources available to you as a student.
Parents are welcome to attend parts of orientation.
Learn more about NSOWhen is New Student Orientation?
If you are arriving in the fall semester (August), New Student Orientation (NSO) for undergraduate students will happen online in June-July. If you are unable to attend a virtual NSO, you will be able to attend in-person just before classes start. If you are arriving in the spring semester (January), NSO will be in-person just before classes start.
The Office of First Year Experience Programs (FYE) offers an incredible virtual orientation program that will prepare you to start strong at IU. You will receive an email invitation from FYE to reserve your specific NSO dates after you submit your intent to enroll.
Once you make your NSO reservation, you will get access to a First Year Experience Canvas course that will prepare you for your academic appointment and registration.
Your reservation includes a specific date where you will meet with an academic advisor to register for classes and a student discussion group.
Remember, you need to be in Bloomington by the date on your I-20 or DS-2019.
Learn about traveling to BloomingtonAll new students will be invited to attend a variety of social events during international welcome week, even if they attend virtual NSO in June-July or are a graduate student.
Online orientation courses for undergraduate students
You will be required to complete two different online orientation courses. After completing both of these courses, you’ll be well prepared to successfully transition to IU.
FYE orientation for all students
Learn more about IU, meet with your academic advisor, and register for classes.
OIS orientation for international students
Get details on living and studying in the U.S., immigration regulations and U.S. laws, health care and insurance, and more.
Orientation for graduate students
Graduate students will need to work with their academic department for orientation. There is no required in-person orientation program for new international graduate students. However, you will need to schedule a tuberculosis test shortly after you arrive.
Review the tuberculosis test requirement
You are also invited to participate in all social activities, and we even have a special event just for new international graduate students.
Online orientation courses for graduate students
Before you arrive in Bloomington, we will send you an email invitation to start the Graduate International Orientation course in Canvas, which is separate from any online orientation your department may have. This Canvas course is required for all new international graduate students, and includes important information about staying in status, resources, and how to get around Bloomington, among other things.
You department may have other requirements for you to complete before you arrive. Contact your department for more details.
Undergraduates and graduates: after you arrive in the United States
We are so excited to meet you in Bloomington! We have many wonderful activities planned before classes begin. We’ll introduce you to one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States, highlight student resources (including some specifically for international students), provide networking opportunities, and allow you to find your community.
Bloomington and IU are great places to live and study, and we think you’ll love your new home.
Description of the video:
(folksy guitar music)
Video: The IU trident appears.
Words appear: Indiana University, Fulfilling the Promise, iu.edu
Video: A student holding a notebook stands in front of the Sample Gates. She flips through the notebook, which says, “People across IU want you to know #YouAreWelcomeHere.”
Video: A series of students and professors write in similar notebooks and hold them up to the camera. We aren’t able to read them yet.
Video: A student sitting in front of a computer holds up her notebook, which says, “We are greater than fear. #YouAreWelcomeHere”
Video: Four students wave and hold up a notebook, which says “Hoosiers means family.”
Video: Four more students hold a notebook that says “We are stronger together.”
Video: A student holds a notebook that says “You belong here!!!”
Video: Two students hold a notebook that says “#WeAreOne”
Video: A student holds a notebook with Korean characters. Beneath them it says, “#YouAreWelcomeHere”
Video: A student holds a notebook that says, “You strengthen our community! We want you here.”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “As Hoosiers we are all one. I’m glad you are here! Go IU!”
Video: Three students hold a notebook that says, “We love you, value you, and are so happy you’re here.”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “There are times when men of good conscience cannot blindly follow orders… #OneIU”
Video: Several students hold a notebook that says “#YouAreWelcomeHere—You belong at IU!” They’re seated behind a banner that says, “To the international community: We Support You” and is covered with student signatures.
Video: A professor holds a notebook with Arabic characters, which also says, “Hello, #YouAreWelcomeHere”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “You make us better at IU!”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “We are all Hoosiers!”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “You are what makes America great.”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “You make us better! #YouAreWelcomeHere”
Video: A student holds a notebook that says, “Home is a feeling… here is home. IU is for you!”
Video: A student holds a notebook that says, “We want you here.”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “#YouAreWelcomeHere because no human is illegal. We value you here!”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “You are home!!”
Video: A professor holds a notebook that says, “You are welcome and valued here! #OneIU”
Video: Three staff members hold signs that say, “At IU, we embrace openness to the world,” “We are one IU,” and “We are one IU: full stop, no exceptions.”
Video: Two children hold signs that say, “Stay strong! Bloomington is here for you!” and “We are one IU: full stop, no exceptions.”
Video: The montage continues quickly, with more students, staff, and faculty members holding similar signs.
Video: A still photo of Lauren Robel alongside a quote from her: “We are one IU: full stop, no exceptions.”
Video: The video zooms out to show a collage of all of the people and signs featured in the video.
Video: The screen turns white and the IU trident appears.
Words appear: International Services
[END OF TRANSCRIPT]
Don’t forget these important tasks
In the midst of the excitement of meeting new people and building friendships that will last a lifetime, you’ll need to remember to complete two important tasks as soon as possible after you arrive in the United States.
Upload immigration documents
It is very important that you complete the Immigration Review section of your Atlas checklist as soon as you arrive in the U.S. (This section can only be completed after you have entered the U.S.).
We will not be able to remove the A19 registration hold on your record until you complete this step and we’ve reviewed the information you provide.
You’ll need to provide the following items:
- Your passport
- Your visa stamp
- Your I-94 card
- All original I-20s or DS-2019s (bring documents from any previous U.S. schools, if applicable)
Submit final, official copies of your academic records
You need to submit final, official copies of your academic records and degree certificates or diplomas (these all must bear the stamp or seal of the issuing institution) within the first four weeks of your first semester. You will not be able to register for your second semester classes until you do so.
You are not required to bring your final academic records if your school intends to send them to our office.