International Orientation Week
Your week to get to know campus!
The Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) is looking forward to welcoming you to our campus community! Our team is ready to walk you through the process of starting your life at St. Thomas and making sure you are ready for success. Upon arrival, we'll help you with immigration check-in and course registration. You'll learn all about campus and start making friends by participating in social events and campus tours!
Parents, guardians, family, and loved ones of graduate students are welcome and encouraged to attend orientation. We realize the transition to a university can be a big change for the entire family. If you plan on attending orientation, please let us know by emailing oiss@stthomas.edu.
Fall 2024 orientation activities will be from Monday, August 26th to Thursday, August 29th.
Arrival Day is Monday, August 26th, so please try and schedule your flights for that day.
Classes begin on Wednesday, September 4th.
If you need to be picked up from the airport on Monday, August 26th, please complete our .
Fall 2024 Undergraduate Orientation Schedule
The Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) is ready to welcome you to your new campus during the week of August 26th. We will be open all week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m to help you complete the immigration check-in process.
Below is preview of what is to come for Fall 2024. The full detailed orientation schedule will be posted on July 1st, 2024.
This is our official arrival day and the first day that students living on campus can move into their residence halls. OISS will only do airport pickups during this day. Please sign up for before Monday, August 19th.
8:00 – 12:00, 13:00 – 15:00 Check-in with the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS)
Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC 212)
Your first step when coming to campus is to complete a check-in process with an Immigration advisor. Come any time between 8:00am and 12:00pm and 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Please bring your passport, VISA, I-20, and hard copies of your official transcripts. The meeting lasts 30 minutes.
10:00 – 12:00 Icebreaker Games with Orientation Leaders
Lower East Quad – In front of Murray Herrick Center (MHC)
Orientation Leaders will take turns leading icebreakers and games outside. It’s a great chance to get to know other new students and some current students.
12:00 – 13:00 Welcome Lunch with IOLs
The View - Meet at the Anderson Student Center (ASC) 1st floor
The on-campus meal plan begins. Come and get lunch with your orientation leaders.
13:00 – 15:00 Icebreaker Games with Orientation Leaders/Campus Tour
Lower East Quad – In front of Murray Herrick Center (MHC)
Orientation Leaders will take turns leading icebreakers and games outside. We will also have the option of taking a campus tour where we will show you all the best parts of campus.
15:30 – 18:00 Afternoon Shopping Trip
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
International Orientation Leaders will help you take the free shuttle to the Minneapolis campus to shop at the large Target store. This is an opportunity to learn how to take the inter-campus shuttle and see part of downtown Minneapolis! Students are responsible for paying for their own purchases.
18:00 - 19:00 – Meet for Dinner
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
The on-campus meal plan begins, so please join your orientation leaders and International Admissions staff for dinner at the cafeteria. Families and guests are welcome to attend.
Evening Activity
Please check the Welcome Days schedule on for more information on events and locations.
8:00 – 12:00, 13:00 – 15:00 Check-in with OISS office
Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC 212)
Your first step when coming to campus is to complete a check-in process with an Immigration advisor. Come any time between 8:00am and 12:00pm and 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Please bring your passport, VISA, I-20, and hard copies of your official transcripts. The meeting lasts 30 minutes.
10:00 – 11:00 Guided Campus Tour
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
Take a tour of campus with our St. Thomas tour guides or using the self-guided app which will show you all the best parts of campus.
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch with International Orientation Leaders
Northsider - Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
Join your International Orientation Leaders for lunch. Students are responsible for their own lunch. Families and guests are welcome to attend.
13:00 – 15:00 Phone, Bank Account, and Health Insurance setup
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
Representatives from U.S. Bank and T-Mobile will be on site on-campus to help students create new bank and phone accounts. We will also have representatives from the Center for Wellbeing to answer health insurance questions. You will need to have your passport and I-20 with you.
16:00 – 17:00 OISS Borrowing Closet
Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 207
The Borrowing Closet is an opportunity to select free items from past international students to help you settle into your new living space.
17:00 – 19:00 Picnic with OISS
Upper Quad. Rain Site: Anderson Student Center (ASC) 340 - Iversen Hearth Room
Join us for an evening picnic with your Orientation Leaders, OISS staff, and current students.
Evening Activity
Please check the Welcome Days schedule on for more information on events and locations.
08:00 – 11:45 Transfer Orientation - Required
Woulfe Alumni Hall – Anderson Student Center (ASC) 3rd Floor
All Transfer students who have not completed an Orientation & Registration (O&R) session already are required to attend this orientation program. The program will include a welcome from the president of the university and opportunities to interact with other transfer students.
09:00 – 11:00 Math Placement Assessment
Meet in O’Shaughnessy Science Hall (OSS) 235 – “The MaRC"
Required for international students who plan to take a math course that requires placement. Please bring the login information for your ALEKS account.
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch at The View with OISS
The View – Anderson Student Center (ASC) 2nd floor
Join your International Orientation Leaders for lunch at The View. Students are responsible for their own lunch. Families and guests are welcome to attend.
13:30 - 15:00 OISS Orientation Session - Required
Meet in Anderson Student Center (ASC) 340 - Iversen Hearth Room
This session is required for all undergraduate international students. OISS will discuss immigration regulations necessary to maintain status and ways to get involved throughout the year.
Welcome Days Events Begin
Please check the Welcome Days schedule on for more information on events and locations.
Tuesday, September 3rd from 10:00 to 12:00 - March Through the Arches Celebration
The Arches
Participate in this St. Thomas tradition as you walk through the Arches and celebrate the start of your freshman year.
Tuesday, September 3rd from 13:30 to 16:00 - Orientation and Registration Session - RequiredMeet in McNeely Hall (MCH) 100 - 1st floor
All first-year international students need to complete an Orientation & Registration (O&R) session.
Friday, September 6th from 14:30 to 16:00 - President's ReceptionMorrison House - Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
Meet the University's President, Dr. Rob Vischer, as he welcomes our new international students.
What to Expect
Immigration Check-In with OISS
You will meet with an OISS advisor for immigration purposes as well as discuss any specific questions you have.
Course Registration
Meet your academic advisor and finalize your course schedule.
Campus Tour and ID Card
Learn more about campus and receive your St. Thomas ID Card.
Social Events
Your international orientation leaders plan special events throughout the week to help you meet others!
Online Orientation Module
Learn about campus resources, health services, academic expectations, immigration regulations and life at St. Thomas. Access the .
Immigration Check-In
Immigration Check-In with OISS
You will meet with an OISS advisor for immigration purposes as well as discuss any specific questions you have.
Course Registration
Course Registration
Meet your academic advisor and finalize your course schedule.
Campus Tour and ID Card
Campus Tour and ID Card
Learn more about campus and receive your St. Thomas ID Card.
Social Events
Social Events
Your international orientation leaders plan special events throughout the week to help you meet others!
Online Orientation Module
Online Orientation Module
Learn about campus resources, health services, academic expectations, immigration regulations and life at St. Thomas. Access the .
Meet our Orientation Leaders
Our orientation team is looking forward to welcoming you to St. Thomas! Email oiss@sttthomas.edu if you would like to be put in contact with one of our leaders.
KALKIDAN (KAL)
Major/Minor: Exercise Science/Nutrition
Home Country: Ethiopia
Bio: Hey, everyone! I'm Kal, short for Kalkidan. Next year I will be in my last year at St. Thomas, studying Exercise Science. I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but moved to the USA when I was 13, so I consider myself an international student. I'm excited to be part of the International Orientation Leaders (IOL) team and can't wait to meet you all! We will have a great time together!
°ä³¢Ã‰²Ñ·¡±·°ä·¡
Major/Minor: International Studies
Home Country: France
Bio: I am about to be a senior at the University of St. Thomas and am majoring in International Studies. I transferred from Hong Kong to UST and am grateful for the awesome community I found here. I love being part of this vibrant international organization, which inspires me daily through the many students and cultures represented here. I am excited to contribute to the OISS mission on campus and meet the new international students for this upcoming fall semester!
SAM
Major/Minor: Marketing Management/Catholic Studies
Home Country: Guatemala
Bio: My name is Samuel (I go by Sam). I'm an international student from Guatemala City. I enjoy going out, staying in, watching movies, drinking coffee, traveling, and writing. In my free time, I travel and enjoy exploring new places (especially in Minnesota!)
THÀO LÊ
Major/Minor: Actuarial Science/Math, Mathematical Statistics, and Data Analysis
Home Country: Vietnam
Bio: My name is Thảo Lê and I’m a coming junior here at St. Thomas studying Actuarial Science. I hope to help incoming students get engaged and not feel left out when they just come to college. I also want to be a resource for incoming students about different things on campus like study or work.