The International Office (IO) is pleased to invite all incoming international graduate students to the 2013 International Graduate Student Orientation, to be held on Friday, September 20^th, 2013. This year's orientation will be held on the Evanston campus at Technological Institute (Tech) 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston, IL 60208-3100
G-ISO will begin at 8 am in Tech's Ryan Auditorium.  See you there!

Graduate Sidekicks
Orientation Program
Program Specific Orientations
Immigration Check-In
Register for the Orientation
Make-Up Orientation Session

Graduate Sidekicks

Incoming graduate students: do you have questions about the student experience at Northwestern? Ask the Graduate Sidekicks!

Graduate Sidekicks are current international and American graduate students at Northwestern. Not too long ago, they were new graduate students themselves, so they understand what you are going through. 

They are here to help you, answer your questions, and accompany you as you begin your adventures at Northwestern!  Sidekicks will answer you based on their experiences as Northwestern graduate students. 

Learn more about the Graduate Sidekicks here.

Orientation Program

This year's international graduate student orientation program will include rotating sessions in the morning, with topics covering:

• Immigration in the U.S. - Your Student Status
• Payroll and Tax Information
• Student Panel: Navigating Academic Life at NU
• American Slang and Customs
• International Student Career Information (click here for more information)
• Career Development for Master's and PhD students
• McCormick School of Engineering Panel
• Student Health Services and Health Insurance
• Medill Student Services Panel
• ESL Resources at Northwestern

At the end of the orientation program, there will be a Welcome Lunch at the Hilton Orrington in downtown Evanston. Registration is required.

In addition to the applicable sessions and resource fair, the orientation and welcome lunch is a great place to meet other new international graduate students. Come mix and mingle with others who are also new to NU!

Click here for a pdf copy of what was covered during a previous International Student Orientation.

Program Specific Orientations

In an attempt to better serve specific needs of certain programs at NU, we have arranged to give orientations for the programs listed below. You are welcome to attend the overarching International Graduate Student Orientation as well but the priority should be given to this program specific orientation. 

• McCormick School of Engineering: To be announced
• Medill- IMC: To be announced
• Law School: To be announced
• Feinberg: To be announced
• ISI: To be announced

Immigration CHECK-IN

U.S.immigration regulation states all F-1 and J-1 visitors attending Northwestern are REQUIRED to "check-in" at the Evanston International Office (630 Dartmouth Place Evanston IL 60208) or our Chicago Office (710 N Lake Shore Drive 1012 Abbott Hall Chicago IL 60611) within five days of your arrival on campus or at your predetermined check-in session.

Check-In Sessions:

• The International Graduate Student Orientation: September 20, 2013
• The Graduate School Resource Fair: September 18, 2013

A registration hold has been placed on all incoming international students. This registration hold prohibits a student from enrolling in classes until he/she has checked in the International Office.

Please bring the following original documents with you for Check-In: 

• I-20 or DS-2019;
• Biographical page of passport;
• F-1 or J-1 visa stamp; and

In addition, all students are required to complete the International Student Check-In Form. Please print and complete this form before you come to the International Office for check-in.

International students are required to provide a U.S. address at the time of Check-In.

Register for the Orientation

Registration is closed at this time and the Welcome Lunch is full.  However, all new graduate international students are still welcome to attend the morning sessions at Tech (8 am-12:30 pm).

Make-Up Orientation Session

October 7, 2013
4-5 pm @ the International Office

This session will cover basic immigration information pertaining to international graduate students in F-1 or J-1 status. This is mandatory session for international graduate students who did not attend the International Office’s graduate student orientation on September 20.