Undergraduate International Student Orientation

Fall 2023 Undergraduate ISO Dates

September 7, 2023:   Arrival and move-in day; airport pick-up shuttles provided this day only. Plan your travel accordingly!

September 8 - 11, 2023:  Undergraduate ISO Orientation

About the Event

International Student Orientation (ISO) covers many essential topics to help new undergraduate international students acclimate to life at Northwestern. Social activities will include group meals, local shopping trips, a tour of downtown Chicago and more. Check out the schedule:

FALL 2023 ISO SCHEDULE

Online Orientation for F-1 & J-1 Students

Complete this course prior to your arrival!

Learn more and access the required online orientation course:

F-1/J-1 REQUIRED ONLINE ORIENTATION

About early move-in fee

The official housing move-in date for new first-year and transfer students is Monday, September 11, 2023.  New (and transfer) undergraduate international students arriving on September 7th to participate in ISO can move-in early with a $50 per night fee. The $50 per night fee will be billed to the student account based on the date of move-in.

If you are arriving prior to September 7th, you can email Residential Services at housing @northwestern.edu to inquire about a possible earlier move in date OR you can arrange your own lodging. See the the Undergraduate Early Arrival Policy page on the Residential Services website for additional information. 

Travel Planning

• Review the Travel to Northwestern webpage for guidance on local airports and transportation to campus.
• All F-1 and J-1 with an initial I-20 or DS-2019, including transfer students, are permitted to enter the United States 30 days before the program start date listed on their documents. 

OISS Shuttle to Evanston Campus - September 7th

OISS will offer shuttle transportation from the Chicago O'Hare International Airport to the Evanston campus on a first come - first serve basis for NEW Fall 2023 international undergraduate students (bachelor's level) on Thursday, September 7, 2023 only.

• There will be 3 shuttles departing at approximately 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM or whenever the shuttle is filled to capacity.
• Meeting Location: Meet Northwestern OISS staff and peer advisors at the McDonald’s in Terminal 5, concourse M, outside the secure areas (after you go through the immigration checkpoint and customs). The OISS representatives will direct you to the shuttle and help you with your luggage.
• See this O’Hare Map for meeting location
• If you arrive on another day or after all shuttles have departed, you will need to arrange your own transportation to campus. See Travel to Northwestern for more information.

Find your way around Evanston campus