Home > International Student Programs > Orientation >

International Undergraduate Orientation

Welcome to Dartmouth College!  Orientation for international undergraduates, including members of the Class of 2016, international transfer students, and international exchange students, begins on Wednesday evening, August 29, 2012, and ends on Monday, September 3, 2012.  Orientation for all new undergraduates begins on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. International students who choose to attend DOC Trips will apply in June and receive their specific trip assignments in late July. International students assigned to trips prior to International Student Orientation will be arriving either August 22nd or August 23rd in order to return in time for International Orientation on August 29th.

ISP Director's Welcome Letter

2012 International Undergraduate Student Arrival Information

International undergraduate students planning to participate in DOC Trip "B" may arrive as early as Wednesday August 22 and Thursday August 23, 2012 for Trip "C".  It is required that all new international undergraduates provide arrival details to the International Student Programs Office no later than Monday, August 16th by completing this Undergraduate Arrival Information Form

Instructions for Obtaining Undergraduate Immigration Documentation

International students requiring a visa status to study in the U.S. will find the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) to be of critical importance.  Please click on the following link if you have any concerns or questions related to your immigration status:  www.dartmouth.edu/~ovis.

Orientation Schedule

Important Notes for International Undergraduates:

• The program of orientation for new international undergraduates will begin at 5 pm on Wednesday, August 29th.
• International Logan "Meet and Greet" service is August 22nd and 23rd only, to coincide with DOC Trips to which international students will be assigned.
• All students will receive DOC Trips application information in late May, and specific trip assignments in late July. International students participating in DOC trips will be invited to participate in Trips that will return prior to International Student Orientation on August 29th.
• Exchange Students: International Student Programs (ISP) - OPAL (Office of Pluralism and Leadership) will send exchange students the same orientation information as matriculating students and provide them with access to the arrival forms and mentor request forms.  Exchange students will notify International Student Programs-OPAL when they plan to arrive, and whether they will be involved in the orientation.  ISP International Student Mentors will help international exchange students get settled well before they arrive at the Off-Campus Programs office orientation, Sunday September 9th (hour to be determined).

Wednesday evening, August 29th, 2012 INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION PROGRAM BEGINS.  (A tentative schedule follows.  As sessions, dates, times, and locations are confirmed, the schedule will be updated - please check it weekly.)

Wednesday,August 29
5:00 - 10:00 pm		International Student Mentor Dinner (BBQ!) and Panel-Discussion (Part I) for new International students: The Dartmouth Social Life "Frats, Tracks, Woods, Books, and the Rest!		DOC House on Occom Pond
Thursday, August 30
7:00 - 9:00 am		International Student VISA Check-in Session		TBD
9:00 - 11:00 am		International Student Breakfast with Faculty		Filene Auditorium, Moore Hall
11:00 - 12:00 pm		Tell Me About: Dartmouth Financial Aid, Student Bills, On-Campus Jobs, & Getting Paid for Work		Moore, B03
12:00 - 1:15 pm		Banking in the USA		Occom Commons
6:00 - 8:00 pm		International Student Banquet Dress is semi-formal, and international students are encouraged to wear traditional clothing from their countries and cultures if available.		Occom Commons
8:00 - 9:00 pm		16s Got Talent! International Student Talent Show during which several AMAZING '16s will be entertaining you and showcasing their special talents.		TBD
9:00 pm - Midnight		Let the fun begin... Enjoy a fun and entertaining evening with your International Mentors		One Wheelock
Friday, August 31
7:00-9:00 am		How to Stay in the US and Study at Dartmouth/F-1 & J-1 Post Check-in Immigration Session		TBD
10:00 - 11:00 am		International Students Credit & Course Placement Issues		Moore, B03
11:00 - 12:00 pm		International Students: Writing Well at Dartmouth		Moore, B03
12:00 - 1:30 pm		Research Opportunities at Dartmouth Luncheon		Occom Commons
4:30 - 6:00 pm		Students Talk II: Keys to a Rewarding and Enjoyable Intellectual Journey		Moore, B03
6:30 - 9:00 pm		Ways for International Students to Get Involved on Campus" Dinner and Discussion		East Wheelock Cluster, Brace Commons
Saturday, September 1
1-4:30 pm		Academic Honor Principle How to Best Take Advantage of Academic Advising at Dartmouth Library Tour		TBD
Sunday, September 2
2:00 pm-5:00 pm		Shopping trip by bus to K-Mart Free bus transportation to shopping plaza for all new students.		Meet at Hanover Inn bus stop
Monday, September 3
8:00 - 10am (students have individual appointments scheduled)		SEVIS Reporting Check-In Session, with Office of Visa & Immigration Service, and MANDATORY Visa lecture.		37 Dewey Field Road, Instructional Center Room 37 (Lower Level)

Arrival Information

International undergraduate students planning to participate in DOC Trip "B" may arrive as early as Wednesday August 22 and Thursday August 23, 2012 for Trip "C".  Arrival details must be previously provided by new students to the International Student Programs Office - OPAL via the Undergraduate Arrival Information Form, in order for International Student Mentors to be on hand to:

• meet students arriving at Logan Airport (Boston, Massachusetts) on Wednesday or Thursday, August, 22 or 23 2012;
• assist students arriving at Logan to locate the Dartmouth Coach bus service to Hanover, New Hampshire;
• meet students arriving in Hanover at the Hanover Inn August 22 through August 29 and
• assist students when they arrive in Hanover with their luggage, and escort them to their residence halls.

Links to Important Information for International Students

The following are links to important information for international students who will be attending Dartmouth.  We hope these links will answer your most critical questions while you are still in your home country, and once you arrive at Dartmouth.  You will receive more detailed information after you arrive.  Feel free to write, e-mail, or fax us at International Student Programs-OPAL with any questions.  Once you are in Hanover, we can help you further with academic issues, personal and social adjustment, cultural opportunities, and programming information.

Dartmouth Coach (Bus service to Boston and New York)

Greyhound Bus Line (National bus service with terminal in White River Junction, VT)

Amtrak (Train service with station in White River Junction, VT)

Advance Transit (Local community bus service)

Lebanon Airport

Manchester Airport

Logan International Airport

Your Arrival

Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions

Dartmouth Travel Office

International Orientation Programs

Online Resources Relating to Dartmouth College

Undergraduate Housing

Overseas Telephone Calls

Student Organizations

Useful Dartmouth Phone Numbers

Resources for undergraduate internationals can also be found on our International Student Resource List webpage.  Additional information about visas, as well as other immigration and tax information, may be found on the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) website: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~intl/updates/index.html.  For further information or questions about International Undergraduate Orientation, students should contact International Student Programs-OPAL at International.Student.Mentor@Dartmouth.edu.

International Student Mentors

The International Student Mentor program provides friendship and assistance to new international undergraduates during the fall and winter term of the first academic year.  To be assigned to a Mentor, students must fill out the request form.  To obtain an International Student Mentor request form, please click on the link above.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at International.Student.Mentor@Dartmouth.edu.

International Friendship Family Program

The International Student Programs Office sponsors the International Friendship Family Program, which matches students with host families in the Upper Valley.  Friendship Families can be a valuable resource as students adjust to college life and American culture.  Visit the link above to learn more about the program and how to sign up for it by submitting the request form available on the link.

We look forward to meeting you in late August!