Your orientation experience is an important part of learning about your new home. All undergraduates and most graduate students will participate in an online orientation.
Set yourself up for success at IU
Orientation for undergraduate students
Prepare for a successful and rewarding experience at IU Bloomington with New Student Orientation (NSO) online for undergraduate students.
You’ll build a community with new international and American students. You’ll learn about IU’s incredible academic experience, register for classes when you meet with your academic advisor, and explore the wide range of resources available to you as a student.
Parents are welcome to attend parts of the online orientation.
Learn more about NSOWhen is New Student Orientation?
New Student Orientation (NSO) for undergraduate students will happen online. If you are unable to attend a virtual NSO, you will be need to reach to your advisor to understand other potential options.
The Office of Orientation & Enrollment Programs (OEP) offers an incredible virtual orientation program that will prepare you to start strong at IU. You will receive an email invitation from OEP to reserve your specific NSO dates after you submit your intent to enroll.
Once you make your NSO reservation, you will get access to a First Year Experience Canvas course that will prepare you for your academic appointment and registration.
Your reservation includes a specific date where you will meet with an academic advisor to register for classes and a student discussion group.
Remember, you need to be in Bloomington by the date on your I-20 or DS-2019.
Learn about traveling to BloomingtonAll new students will be invited to attend a variety of social events during international welcome week.
Online orientation courses for undergraduate students
You will be required to complete two different online orientation courses. After completing both of these courses, you’ll be well prepared to successfully transition to IU.
OEP orientation for all students
Learn more about IU, meet with your academic advisor, and register for classes.
OIS orientation for international students
Get details on living and studying in the U.S., immigration regulations and U.S. laws, health care and insurance, and more.
Orientation for graduate students
Graduate students will need to work with their academic department for orientation. Please remember that you will need to schedule a tuberculosis test shortly after you arrive.
Review the tuberculosis test requirement
You are also invited to participate in all social activities, and we even have a special event just for new international graduate students.
Online orientation courses for graduate students
Before you arrive in Bloomington, we will send you an email invitation to start the Graduate International Orientation course in Canvas, which is separate from any online orientation your department may have. This Canvas course is required for all new international graduate students, and includes important information about staying in status, resources, and how to get around Bloomington, among other things.
You department may have other requirements for you to complete before you arrive. Contact your department for more details.
Undergraduates and graduates: after you arrive in the United States
We are so excited to meet you in Bloomington! We have many wonderful activities planned before classes begin. We’ll introduce you to one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States, highlight student resources (including some specifically for international students), provide networking opportunities, and allow you to find your community.
Bloomington and IU are great places to live and study, and we think you’ll love your new home.
Don’t forget these important tasks
In the midst of the excitement of meeting new people and building friendships that will last a lifetime, you’ll need to remember to complete two important tasks as soon as possible after you arrive in the United States.
Upload immigration documents
It is very important that you complete the Immigration Review section of your Atlas checklist as soon as you arrive in the U.S. (This section can only be completed after you have entered the U.S.).
We will not be able to remove the A19 registration hold on your record until you complete this step and we’ve reviewed the information you provide.
You’ll need to provide the following items:
- Your passport
- Your visa stamp
- Your I-94 card
- All original I-20s or DS-2019s (bring documents from any previous U.S. schools, if applicable)
Submit final, official copies of your academic records
You need to submit final, official copies of your academic records and degree certificates or diplomas (these all must bear the stamp or seal of the issuing institution) within the first four weeks of your first semester. You will not be able to register for your second semester classes until you do so.
You are not required to bring your final academic records if your school intends to send them to our office.