Orientation

Main Content

Students with Flags

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 next Spring 2025 orientation.

Spring 2025 New International Student Orientation will be in person. Events begin the week of January 6, 2025 at the Center for International Education. 

Mandatory attendance for new international students is on Wednesday, January 8th. See Below for schedule information. 

Registration below Spring 2025 Orientation! Continue to check this webpage for updates.

Spring 2025 Orientation Registration

Registration is now available for international student orientation for newly admitted undergraduate and graduate students: 

Register Now

 Spring 2025 Orientation Schedule

(details are tentative and subject to change) 

Monday, January 6 (Available to All New International Students)

Time Event Location
8:30am to 3:30pm Immigration Check-in CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall
10:00am to 3:00pm Shopping/Bank Trips Meet at CIE

Tuesday, January 7 (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--Dress warmly! CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall
10:30am to 3:30pm Resource Fair & Mini Workshops CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall
1:00 to 2:30pm Preparing for Academic Success Panel CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall

Wednesday, January 8 (Attendance Mandatory for All New International Students)

Time Event Location
8:00 to 8:25am Orientation Check-in & Morning Refreshments Meet at CIE
8:25 to 8:30am Welcome to SIU! Pulliam Hall, Furr Auditorium
8:30 to 9:00am Department of Public Safety Pulliam Hall, Furr Auditorium
9:00 to 9:30am Student Legal Assistance Pulliam Hall, Furr Auditorium
9:30 to 10:00am Community Programs Pulliam Hall, Furr Auditorium
10:00 to 10:30am Maintaining Your Immigration Status Pulliam Hall, Furr Auditorium
10:30 to 11:15am Social Security, Taxes, & Campus Employment Pulliam Hall, Furr Auditorium
11:15am to 12:15pm Health Insurance, Immunizations, & Health Care Pulliam Hall, Furr Auditorium
12:30 to 2:30pm International World of Welcome (Lunch Provided) CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall
2:30 to 3:00pm International Registered Student Organization (RSO) Fair CIE Reception Area, Woody Hall

Thursday, January 9 (Mandatory for All International Students)

Time Event Location
8:30am to 2:30pm Student Health Services Immunization Records Check Student Health Services Building

 

Additional Events

Date Time Event Description
January 9, 2025 1:00 to 3:00pm Graduate Student Orientation Hosted by the SIU Graduate School at the Student Center Auditorium
TBD Saluki Startup Events https://orientation.siu.edu/saluki-startup.php
January 13, 2025 Spring Semester Begins--First day of classes!
January 13 - January 31, 2025 Winter Weeks of Welcome https://orientation.siu.edu/wow.php 
TBD Involvement Fair Explore the Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and community volunteer opportunities available at SIU
January 17, 2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm 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.