International Student Orientation

Spring 2024 International Student Orientation (ISO) - Monday, January 15th at the Livingston Student Center, 84 Joyce Kilmer Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854

Event details will be available here in December.

Welcome, our new Scarlet Knights to Rutgers!

Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services conducts a comprehensive orientation for all new international first-year and transfer students students every fall and spring semester. This mandatory orientation welcomes, prepares, and engages new students and their families in their transition to Rutgers University - New Brunswick. At orientation, students become familiar with their new surroundings and are told about available opportunities and resources on and off campus. New students also meet other new and returning students, learning from their experiences and making new friends. For Spring 2024, the ISO program will be an in-person experience along with virtual pre-arrival components.

We're looking forward to meeting you at the upcoming Orientation program! Our primary goal is to ensure that every student walks away from their orientation program with the resources, tools, and answers to make sure their first semester is a successful one.

How to Register for Orientation 

Undergraduate Students: 

Spring 2024 orientation registration will be available in November. 

Students attending Student Orientation must be fully compliant with the COVID-19 Vaccine requirement to register and attend orientation.  A student is fully compliant when they have received the primary vaccination series or approved medical or religious exemption waiver.  Rutgers students must upload their vaccination documentation on the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal for verification. A NetID and password are required. Please see the Rutgers COVID-10 Vaccine Information site for more information regarding the requirement.

Graduate Students: You are automatically registered for the program.

What Can You Expect

The spring International Student Orientation (ISO) is one day program for graduate and undergraduate international first year and transfer students. Through presentations and interactive activities, students will learn more about the Rutgers campus, connect with Rutgers departments, resources, and staff, and get guidance from current Rutgers students. ISO is also an opportunity for students to make friends as they begin their Rutgers journey.

Graduate students may be invited to department and school specific orientation programs that are separate from the ISO. Please make sure you attend those programs as well. 

We want to ensure that everyone is able to fully participate in our Orientation experience.  If there are questions and/or concerns about the method(s) of delivering content, please do not hesitate to contact our office at isss-students@global.rutgers.edu.

If you are in the U.S. or are traveling to the U.S. for Spring 2024 please make sure you follow all the steps outlined in our Pre and Post Arrival Steps to activate your SEVIS status in a timely manner, as well as other new student tasks like how to get your RUID card. 

Want to learn more about campus resources? Visit our Useful Campus Resources page. 

International Parent and Family Orientation (for parents of undergraduate students only)

Parent and Family members are invited to participate in an orientation experience.  More information will be provided by November, 2024. Email ruparents@echo.rutgers.edu with any questions.

All Parent and Family Members are also encouraged to join the R Family Hub, our parent communications platform. Sign-up and select what type of information you want to receive and how often you want to hear from us.

Post Orientation

We hoped you enjoy your Orientation. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your first semester:

Review our Pre and Post Arrival Steps for more information on how to prepare for your arrival and important tasks you should complete to prepare you for your first semester.

Undergraduate Students: Review the information and resources on the Student Orientation and Transition Programs website