Orientation
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Orientation prepares new students for many aspects of life in the United States, in Carbondale, and at SIU. During orientation, we will provide valuable information including required immunizations, health insurance, tips for adjusting to your new cultural and academic environments, opening a bank account, U.S. income taxes, housing, and many other topics. In addition, we have planned events that will provide you with the opportunity to have fun, get familiar with your new environment, and make new friends.
See links to the left for more information; see below for orientation schedules.
Join us for the Fall 2025 orientation.
2025 New International Student Orientations will be in person at the Center for International Education.
- Fall orientation begins the week of August 11, 2025.
See below for schedule information and a listing of mandatory events.
Register below for Fall 2025 Orientation. Continue to check this webpage for updates.
Fall 2025 Orientation Registration
Registration is now available for international student orientation for newly admitted undergraduate and graduate students:
Fall 2025 Orientation Schedule
(details are tentative and subject to change)
Monday, August 11th (Available to All New International Students)
Time | Event | Location |
8:30am to 3:30pm | Immigration Check-in | CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall |
9:00 to 10:30am | Housing Question & Answer (Q&A) | CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall |
10:30am to 3:30pm | Navigating the Campus and Community | CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall |
Tuesday, August 12th (Available to All New International Students)
Time | Event | Location |
8:30am to 3:30pm | Immigration Check-in | CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall |
9:00 to 10:30am | Campus Tours (led by RSO Leaders) | CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall |
10:30am to 1:30pm | Navigating the Campus and Community | CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall |
Wednesday, August 13th (Attendance Mandatory for All New International Students)
Time | Event | Location |
8:30 to 9:00am | Orientation Check-in & Morning Refreshments | Center for International Education, Woody Hall |
9:00 to 9:30am | Welcome to SIU! | Furr Auditorium, Pulliam Hall |
9:30 to 10:00am | Department of Public Safety | Furr Auditorium, Pulliam Hall |
10:00 to 10:30am | Student Legal Assistance | Furr Auditorium, Pulliam Hall |
10:30 to 11:00am | Maintaining Your Immigration Status | Furr Auditorium, Pulliam Hall |
11:00 to 11:30am | Social Security, Taxes, & Campus Employment | Furr Auditorium, Pulliam Hall |
11:30 to 12:00pm | Community Programs | Furr Auditorium, Pulliam Hall |
12:00 to 3:00pm | International World of Welcome (Lunch Provided) | Center for International Education, Woody Hall |
3:00 to 4:30pm | Navigating the Campus and Community | Center for International Education, Woody Hall |
Thursday, August 14th (Mandatory for All International Students)
Time | Event | Location |
8:30am to 2:30pm | Student Health Services Immunization Records Check | Student Health Services Building |
TBD | Insurance, Immunizations, and the U.S. Health System (Workshop) | TBD |
Additional Events - Fall 2025
Date | Time | Event | Description |
August 14, 2025 | 1:00 to 3:00pm | Graduate Student Orientation | Hosted by the SIU Graduate School at the Student Center Auditorium/International Lounge |
August 14-17, 2025 | Saluki Startup Events | https://orientation.siu.edu/saluki-startup.php | |
August 18, 2025 | Fall Semester Begins--First day of classes! | ||
August 18 - 29, 2025 | Weeks of Welcome | https://orientation.siu.edu/wow.php | |
August 21, 2025 | 5:00 to 7:00pm | Involvement Fair | Explore the Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and community volunteer opportunities available at SIU |
August 22, 2025 | 3:00pm to 4:30pm | Welcome International Coffee Hour | Come to CIE and meet other international and domestic students and community members and enjoy free refreshments and conversation. Meets every Friday when classes are in session. |