International Student Orientation Schedule: Fall 2026
Read more about the many events planned for the Fall 2026 International Student Orientation, August 25-27.
Tuesday, August 25: Parent and Family Orientation
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Bus Tours | For registered parents and families only. | Pick-up outside of Jersey Mike's Arena |
| 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. | Lunch | For registered parents and families only. | Livingston Commons |
| 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Presentations | Knowing what a student is going through during college and what questions to ask are just some of the helpful pieces of advice that parents and families get at Rutgers Parent and Family Orientation. | Tillet Room 232, additional space in Tillet Room 242 |
Tuesday, August 25: ISO, ALL GROUPS
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. | Registration | Check-in at ISO and receive orientation materials. | Jersey Mike's Arena |
| 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Welcome Program (speeches, program overview, performance, student groups) | Meet new friends, and attend the welcome program and introduction to ISO. | Jersey Mike's Arena |
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Resource Fair | Meet various Rutgers academic and student support units to learn about the resources and services offered on campus! | Jersey Mike's Arena |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Barbecue Lunch | Enjoy a barbeque lunch with friends before heading to the afternoon orientation sessions. | Livingston Plaza |
Tuesday, August 25: ISO, GROUP RED
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Welcome & Introduction to ISSS | Welcome! Introduction to ISSS, Immigration concepts, and rights & responsibilities | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. | You R Here: Student Orientation & Transition Programs | It's time to learn how Rutgers came to be and how you can begin to establish yourself in the Rutgers community. | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 2 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. | Group Activity | Group Activity: What Would You Do? | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. | Academic Success: International Academic Support, Learning Centers | International students will be introduced to academic expectations at Rutgers University, and they will begin to understand how to navigate curricular and co-curricular resources. | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. | Moderated Undergraduate Panel | Balancing a healthy social and academic life while transitioning to a new environment is not easy. Current students will share their experiences, advice, and answer your questions. | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Wrap Up / Check-in Support | Reminders for tomorrow and check-in support! | Lucy Stone Hall, Room A102 |
| 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner at Livingston Dining Hall | Students with meal plans will need their RUID card to swipe for access. Meal tickets will be provided to students who have not purchased a meal plan. | Livingston Dining Hall |
| 6:00 - 7:45 p.m. | Speedfriending Evening Social Activity | Participate in a fun, fast-paced game that will help you meet fellow new international students at Rutgers! | Livingston Hall, Livingston Student Center |
Tuesday, August 25: ISO, GROUP BLUE
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Welcome & Introduction to ISSS | Welcome! Introduction to ISSS, Immigration concepts, and rights & responsibilities | 100 Rock, Room 1095 |
| 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. | Academic Success: International Academic Support, Learning Centers | International students will be introduced to academic expectations at Rutgers University, and they will begin to understand how to navigate curricular and co-curricular resources. | 100 Rock, Room 1095 |
| 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. | Break | Break time! | 100 Rock, Room 1095 |
| 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. | Moderated Undergraduate Panel | Balancing a healthy social and academic life while transitioning to a new environment is not easy. Current students will share their experiences, advice, and answer your questions. | 100 Rock, Room 1095 |
| 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. | Group Activity | Group Activity: What Would You Do? | 100 Rock, Room 1095 |
| 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. | You R Here: Student Orientation & Transition Programs | It's time to learn how Rutgers came to be and how you can begin to establish yourself in the Rutgers community. | Student Orientation & Transition Programs |
| 4:00 - 4:15 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Student Orientation & Transition Programs |
| 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. | Wrap Up / Check-in Support | Reminders for tomorrow and check-in support! | Student Orientation & Transition Programs |
| 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner at Livingston Dining Hall | Students with meal plans will need their RUID card to swipe for access. Meal tickets will be provided to students who have not purchased a meal plan. | Livingston Dining Hall |
| 6:00 - 7:45 p.m. | Speedfriending Evening Social Activity | Participate in a fun, fast-paced game that will help you meet fellow new international students at Rutgers! | Livingston Hall, Livingston Student Center |
Tuesday, August 25: ISO, GROUP GREEN
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Welcome & Introduction to ISSS | Welcome! Introduction to ISSS, Immigration concepts, and rights & responsibilities | Beck Auditorium |
| 1:30 - 1:45 p.m. | Group Activity | Group Activity: What Would You Do? | Beck Auditorium |
| 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. | Academic Success & Graduate Student Life | Come learn about graduate student life, building community, and utilizing academic resources at Rutgers. | Beck Auditorium |
| 2:30 - 2:45 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Beck Auditorium |
| 2:45 - 3:15 p.m. | You R Here: Student Orientation & Transition Programs | It's time to learn how Rutgers came to be and how you can begin to establish yourself in the Rutgers community. | Beck Auditorium |
| 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. | Pedagogy (TIIP) | Institution for Teaching, Innovation, and Inclusive Pedagogy | Beck Auditorium |
| 3:45 - 4:00 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Beck Auditorium |
| 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. | Moderated Graduate Student Panel | Balancing a healthy social and academic life while transitioning to a new environment is not easy. Current students will share their experiences, advice, and answer your questions. | Beck Auditorium |
| 4:45 - 5:15 p.m. | Graduate Students Union: Rutgers AAUP-AFT | Presentation by the Graduate Students Union | Beck Auditorium |
| 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner at Livingston Dining Hall | Students with meal plans will need their RUID card to swipe for access. Meal tickets will be provided to students who have not purchased a meal plan. | Livingston Dining Hall |
| 6:00 - 7:45 p.m. | Speedfriending Evening Social Activity | Participate in a fun, fast-paced game that will help you meet fellow new international students at Rutgers! | Livingston Hall, Livingston Student Center |
Wednesday, August 26, GROUP RED
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. | ISA & OL centering activity & icebreaker | Opening activity with the ISA's and OL's. | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 9:15 - 10:00 a.m. | Wellness: HOPE, Basic Needs, CAPS, Faith & Spirituality Initiatives | Learn how to maintain your health and wellness at Rutgers University and discuss topics that contribute to positive health behaviors. | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. | Health Insurance | Learn the ABCs of the Student Health Insurance Plan with UnitedHealthcare Student Resources. | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 10:45 - 11:00 a.m. | Break | Break time! | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Preparing for Future Work: Career Exploration and Success | Learn how CES provides career-related resources to help students discover themselves, explore careers and academic pathways, develop professional skills, and pursue their post-graduate goals and jobs. | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Vendor Fair and Lunch | Meet local businesses including various U.S. banks, cellphone companies, food markets, and University vendors that can help you with your transition to the U.S. | Busch MRP and Busch Dining Hall |
| 1:15 -1:45 p.m. | Global Programs / Getting Involved | Join this session to learn about the different ways to get involved at Rutgers! | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. | One Stop | Learn about the various cross functional enrollment services (registrar, student accounting) provided by the One Stop Student Services Center. | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Staying Safe | Presentation by Financial Aid, RUPD, and PNC Bank | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 2:45 - 3:00 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 3:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Group Activity | The OL team will lead a fun activity to break up the presentations! | Hill Center Room 114 |
| 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. | Where R U Living? Res Life & Off-Campus Living | The office of Residence Life and the office of Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships will lead a discussion on how to have your best experience living on or off-campus. | Hill Center Room 114 |
Wednesday, August 26, GROUP BLUE
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. | ISA & OL centering activity & icebreaker | Opening activity with the ISA's and OL's. | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 9:15 - 10:00 a.m. | Preparing for Future Work: Career Exploration and Success | Learn how CES provides career-related resources to help students discover themselves, explore careers and academic pathways, develop professional skills, and pursue their post-graduate goals and jobs. | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 10:00 - 10:15 a.m. | Break | Break time! | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. | Wellness: HOPE, Basic Needs, CAPS, Faith & Spirituality Initiatives | Learn how to maintain your health and wellness at Rutgers University and discuss topics that contribute to positive health behaviors. | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Health Insurance | Learn the ABCs of the Student Health Insurance Plan with UnitedHealthcare Student Resources. | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Lunch and Vendor Fair | Meet local businesses including various U.S. banks, cellphone companies, food markets, and University vendors that can help you with your transition to the U.S. | Busch Dining Hall and Busch MPR |
| 1:15 - 1:45 p.m. | Staying Safe | Presentation by Financial Aid, RUPD, and PNC Bank | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. | Where R U Living? Res Life & Off-Campus Living | The office of Residence Life and the office of Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships will lead a discussion on how to have your best experience living on or off-campus. | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 2:15 - 2:30 p.m. | Group Activity | The OL team will lead a fun activity to break up the presentations! | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Global Programs / Getting Involved | Join this session to learn about the different ways to get involved at Rutgers! | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 3:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
| 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. | One Stop | Learn about the various cross functional enrollment services (registrar, student accounting) provided by the One Stop Student Services Center. | Allison Road Classroom 103 |
Wednesday, August 26, GROUP GREEN
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. | ISA & OL centering activity & icebreaker | Opening activity with the ISA's and OL's. | Physics 001 |
| 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. | One Stop | Learn about the various cross functional enrollment services (registrar, student accounting) provided by the One Stop Student Services Center. | Physics 001 |
| 9:45 - 10:15 a.m. | Where R U Living? Res Life & Off-Campus Living | The office of Residence Life and the office of Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships will lead a discussion on how to have your best experience living on or off-campus. | Physics 001 |
| 10:15 - 10:30 a.m. | Break | Break time! | Physics 001 |
| 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Staying Safe | Presentation by Financial Aid, RUPD, and PNC Bank | Physics 001 |
| 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Vendor Fair and Lunch | Meet local businesses including various U.S. banks, cellphone companies, food markets, and University vendors that can help you with your transition to the U.S. | Busch MPR and Busch Dining Hall |
| 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. | Health Insurance (non-TA's/GA's/Fellows) | Learn the ABCs of the Student Health Insurance Plan with UnitedHealthcare Student Resources. | Physics 001 |
| 1:15 - 2:00 p.m. | Wellness: HOPE, Basic Needs, CAPS, Faith & Spirituality Initiatives | Learn how to maintain your health and wellness at Rutgers University and discuss topics that contribute to positive health behaviors. | Physics 001 |
| 2:00 - 2:15 p.m. | Break | Break time! | Physics 001 |
| 2:15 -3:00 p.m. | Preparing for Future Work: Career Exploration and Success | Learn how CES provides career-related resources to help students discover themselves, explore careers and academic pathways, develop professional skills, and pursue their post-graduate goals and jobs. | Physics 001 |
| 3:00 - 3:15 p.m. | Group Activity | The OL team will lead a fun activity to break up the presentations! | Physics 001 |
| 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. | Global Programs / Getting Involved | Join this session to learn about the different ways to get involved at Rutgers! | Physics 001 |
| 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. | MHRM Orientation | Orientation for MHRM students only. | Janice Levin Building |
Thursday, August 27: ALL ACTIVITIES
Time | Event | Presenter | Description | Location |
| 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Orientation Information Desk (OID) and Check-In Support | ISSS | Complete the required check in form for F-1 and J-1 students via the RGlobal Portal. Stop by the ISSS office if you need support! | ISSS Office, 180 College Ave |
| 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Student Health Insurance Plan Enrollment Support | ISSS | Get help submitting your Student Health Insurance Plan enrollment and troubleshooting any enrollment issues with the SHIP. | ISSS Office, 180 College Ave |
| 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Happy, Healthy, Scarlet Knight | Orientation Leaders (OLs) | Join an informative session with your Orientation Leaders. | Tillett 258 |
| 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Transportation & Life in the US | Orientation Leaders (OLs) | Orientation Leaders will share practical tips and advice for getting around and adjusting to life in the US! | Tillett 232 |
| 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | F-2 and J-2 Visa Support Session | ISSS, International Women's Group | Join us to learn and ask questions about acclimating your family/dependents to life in the U.S. | Tillett 254 |
| 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | ESTAR Advising Session - SOE Transfer Students | School of Engineering | This session is mandatory for international transfer students at School of Engineering. | Engineering Building EN-B120 |
| 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Walking Tours | Orientation Leaders (OLs) | Take a guided walking tour of the campus of your choice – tours will leave from their point of origin (see below) promptly at 10am. You can take the Rutgers bus to get to your campus: College Avenue: Meet in front of the College Avenue Student Center; Busch: Meet in front of the Busch Student Center; Livingston: Meet in front of the Livingston Student Center; Cook/Douglass: Meet in front of the Douglass Student Center . | All Campuses |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Opening a Bank Account in the US | PNC Bank | Representatives from PNC Bank will be available to help students open a PNC bank account. Bring your passport, visa, and U.S. phone number. | Tillett 242 |
| 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Academic Advising Sessions - SEBS | School of Biological and Environmental Sciences | All new SEBS students should plan to join us for an important 90-minute session to get you ready for starting your academic journey. | Tillett 258 |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Fall Scheduling Session - RBS First Year students | Rutgers Business School | This session is ONLY for international RBS first-year students who have not registered for fall classes. Bring your laptop! | 100 Rockafeller, Room 4085 |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Academic Advising Sessions - SMLR | SMLR | Join SMLR for academic advising sessions. | Tillet 257 |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | J-1 (Semester/Year) Exchange Student Orientation | ISSS, Rutgers Global Study Abroad | Join the J-1 (Semester/Year) Exchange Student Orientation! | Tillett 254 |
| 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. | Academic Advising Sessions - RBS Transfer students | Rutgers Business School | This session is for RBS transfer students only and will start promptly at 12:30. Bring your laptop! | 100 Rockafeller, Room 1095 |
| 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Opening a Bank Account in the US | PNC Bank | Representatives from PNC Bank will be available to help students open a PNC bank account. Bring your passport, visa, and U.S. phone number. | Tillett 242 |
| 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Academic Advising Session - SOE First Year Students | School of Engineering | Join SOE for academic advising sessions for first year students. | Engineering Building EN-D110 |
| 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Shopping Shuttle | ISSS | See the shuttle schedule for details. | Busch Campus |
| 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Study Abroad Information Session | Rutgers Global Study Abroad | Join the Study Abroad Information Session! | Tillett 254 |
Post-ISO Activities, Friday August 28
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | School of Engineering Kickoff | RSVP to join the School of Engineering Kickoff event! | Richard Weeks Lawn, Busch Campus |
| 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Academic Advising - EMSOP | Academic Advising - EMSOP | Check your email for the Zoom link. |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Opening a Bank Account in the US | Representatives from PNC Bank will be available to help students open a PNC bank account. Students applying for a bank account will need to bring their passport, visa, and a US phone number. | Tillett 242 |
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Academic Information Sessions - School of Arts & Sciences | School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) advising deans will briefly review some of the information in the "School of Arts & Sciences: Academic Planning & Advising (Fall 2026)" Canvas course and answer questions you may have about your fall 2026 course registration.This group session is a great way to connect with academic advisors before the start of the semester. Individual academic advising appointments will begin in the Fall semester, so we encourage you to attend the session, especially if you have questions about your fall 2026 course registration. | Tillet 232 |
| 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Opening a Bank Account in the US | Representatives from PNC Bank will be available to help students open a PNC bank account. Students applying for a bank account will need to bring their passport, visa, and a US phone number. | Tillett 242 |
Post-ISO Activities, Saturday August 29
Time | Event | Description | Location |
| 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Shopping Shuttle | See the shuttle schedule for details. | Busch Campus |
Post-ISO Activities, Friday, September 4
Time | Event | Location |
| 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | CES On-Campus Student Employment Fair | Busch Student Center, MPR |
Post-ISO Activities, Wednesday, September 9
Time | Event | Location |
| 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Rutgers Global Expo (Part of Welcome Week) | ISSS Building, 180 College Ave. |
Post-ISO Activities, Monday, September 14
Time | Event | Location |
| 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Resource Fair for the Graduate Student Welcome Reception | Busch Student Center, MPR |