The International Office (IO) is pleased to invite all incoming international graduate students to the 2012 International Graduate Student Orientation, to be held on Thursday, September 13^th, 2012. This year's orientation will be held on the Evanston campus at McCormick School of Engineering Technological Institute (Tech) 2145 Sheridan Road Evanston, IL 60208-3100

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 (see here for copy of presentation)
• Payroll and Tax Information
• Student Panel: Navigating Academic Life at NU
• American Slang
• International Student Career Information (click here for more information)
• Career Development for Master's and PhD students
• McCormick Office of Career Development - Stephen Tilley (see here for a copy of the presentation) 
• University Career Services - Kamilah McCoy (see here for a copy of the presentation)

A resource fair will be held throughout the orientation where campus and community partners will be on-hand to provide information about their services - these include:

• Local Banks
• Graduate Student Associations
• NU Health Insurance Representatives
• University Services (Wildcard, Library, etc.)
• and many more!

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

Schedule: 

8:00-8:30 - Orientation Check-In
8:30-9:00 - Welcome  
9:10-9:50 - Session Block 1
10:05-10:45 - Session Block 2
11:00-11:40 - Session Block 3
11:55 - 12:35 Session Block 4
12:40 - 1:00 - Meet/walk to lunch 
1:00-2:30 Lunch provided at Hilton Orrington in downtown Evanston 

In addition to the applicable sessions and resource fair, the orientation and welcome luncheon 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: LLM/JD, Sunday, August 26, 1:30-2:20pm, Rubloff 150
• Feinberg: Wednesday, August 22, 2-1pm, Gray Seminar Room, Lurie Building
• ISI: Tuesday, July 31, 10:30-11:30am, Norris, Wildcat Room

Immigration CHECK-IN

U.S.immigration regulation states all F-1 and J-1 visitors attending Northwestern are REQUIRED to "check-in" at the IO within five days of your arrival on campus or at your predetermined check-in session.

Check-In Sessions:

• The International Graduate Student Orientation: September 13th, Technology Institute (Tech)
• The Graduate School Resource Fair: September 19th, Norris University Center

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
• I-94 card (copy of front and back).

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

Make-Up Orientation Session

Wednesday, September 19th
3:45-4:35, Norris Lake Room 2nd Floor
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 13.