Graduate Student Orientation
September 3- September 8, 2026
(This schedule includes both International and New Student Orientation. International Students are expected to attend both International and New Student Orientation)
Embedded Files
All sessions marked with a (✨) are required for all students with an F-1 Visa status
Note: *Some sessions throughout Orientation will include both Graduate and Undergraduate students*
Thursday, September 3: International Student Check-in
Thursday, September 3: International Student Check-in
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Available for all international graduate students who selected in advance through Graduate Studies
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
✨ Orientation Check-in
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
✨ Orientation Check-in
It all begins today! In the Upper Quad you will find tables with staff in brightly colored shirts. (You will also notice undergraduate students moving into their residence halls, don't worry you are in the right place!)
Check in with the International Student & Scholar Affairs (ISSA) team (required for all international students) with your immigration documents and then check in with the Graduate Studies office to meet the folks who will be supporting you throughout your time at RISD.
Your IDs will be available to pick up at Card Services.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Banks & Phones
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Banks & Phones
Need to set up a bank account or cell phone plan? Representatives from various bank and phone vendors will be available to help.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Lunch
Available for all international graduate students who selected in advance through Graduate Studies
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Shopping Shuttles
Shopping Shuttles
Forget something? Don’t worry, we got you! Hop on the shopping shuttles with us for a trip to Target. Shuttles depart campus at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
Friday, September 4 : International Student Orientation (Day 1)
Friday, September 4 : International Student Orientation (Day 1)
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Available for all international graduate students who selected in advance through Graduate Studies
10:00 AM – 11:45 AM
10:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Coffee with Grad Studies
Coffee with Grad Studies
Stop by Bolt Coffee to have a drink on us! Stay and talk to Grad Guide Jessie about what life is like at RISD.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch
Available for all international graduate students who selected in advance through Graduate Studies
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
✨Navigating Systems at RISD and in the US
✨Navigating Systems at RISD and in the US
Navigating the various systems of another country can be confusing and challenging. This session focuses on on-campus employment, the Social Security Number application process, navigating health insurance and more! Join ISSA, Student Employment, Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for this presentation.
Link to slides from presentation HERE
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Graduate Campus Tour
Graduate Campus Tour
This is a great opportunity to explore what the RISD campus has to offer as well as ask any questions you may have. We'll be visiting various grad studio locations, pointing out where to find resources!
Meet in front of 20 Washington Place
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Worldchella: Dance Party 🎶🪩
Worldchella: Dance Party 🎶🪩
Hiii friends, welcome to your first RISD party, Worldchella!
Get down to 15W, Fleet library!
Let’s celebrate your start at RISD with a night of music, dancing, and meeting new people!
Why are you still reading this text? Run don’t walk!
Saturday, September 5 : International Student Orientation (Day 2)
Saturday, September 5 : International Student Orientation (Day 2)
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast
Available for all international graduate students who selected in advance through Graduate Studies
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
✨Your F-1 Journey: What it means to be an international student
✨Your F-1 Journey: What it means to be an international student
This is an important session for all F-1 students. Students will learn about maintaining their immigration status in the US, traveling and re-entry, as well as on-campus and off-campus employment options. You must check in with the International Student & Scholar Affairs (ISSA) Office within 5 business days of the Program Start Date listed on your Form I-20. You must complete check-in by submitting the Arrival Form in the Terra Dotta Student Portal.
❗You are only required to attend this session if you hold an F-1 Visa❗
11:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Beach Day
11:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Beach Day
Join the Graduate Studies office for a fun day in the sun! After you check out attend Your F-1 Journey head to Tillinghast Place for a fun beach day and picnic.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Lawn Games & Chill 😎
Lawn Games & Chill 😎
Feeling exhausted? Feeling overwhelmed? Feeling like you need a Del’s lemonade for free?
Whatever you are feeling, you should definitely show up to Lawn Games & Chill!
We got so many fun games, chill activities, and your aura maxing OLs.
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation
September 6 – September 9
September 6 – September 9
Sunday, September 6: Check-in & Orientation
Sunday, September 6: Check-in & Orientation
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Resource Fair
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Resource Fair
Meet the individuals and resources that will support you on your RISD journey! Visit tables, ask questions, gather resources, and enjoy free giveaways.
Representatives from various bank and phone vendors will be available to help set up accounts if you need a US bank account or cell phone plan.
Monday, September 7: New Student Orientation Day 1
Monday, September 7: New Student Orientation Day 1
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
10 Dimensions of Wellness & CAPS
10 Dimensions of Wellness & CAPS
Identifying what makes us feel unwell is easy, but can you name all the practices you use to feel well? Led by Health Education and Promotion, this session will explore the 10 dimensions of wellness and how you can get involved in building your own wellness practices at RISD.
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
DEI with Intercultural Student Engagement
Learn important information about community standards, consent, mental health resources, and working, living, and learning in a supportive environment free of discrimination.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner
Available for purchase at the Met for all graduate students
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Wellness Carnival 🎪
Wellness Carnival 🎪
Hosted at the Upper Quad and in collaboration with RISD’s Health and Wellness Ambassadors (HAWAs), the Wellness Carnival celebrates the different facets of dimensional wellness. From getting to know the Public Safety Department through fun games to sampling refreshments at the Met’s mocktail bar, there are plenty of activities to do, games to play, and prizes to win!
Tuesday, September 8: New Student Orientation Day 2
Tuesday, September 8: New Student Orientation Day 2
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
HAWA Pop-In's
HAWA Pop-In's
Have a question you’re not sure who to ask? Want to complete your WellSort Action Plan, or learn about time management? Pop-in to the Health and Wellness Ambassador (HAWAs) Office Hours during Orientation. HAWA’s are student leaders trained to help with all of your wellness questions.
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
HAWA Pop- Outs
HAWA Pop- Outs
Not sure where to start when it comes to wellbeing at RISD? In need of some free self-care or wellness supplies? Drop by the HAWA Wellness Wagon to meet the HAWAs and grab some free goodies.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Convocation
Convocation
Join President Crystal Williams, Provost Touba Ghadessi, Academic Deans and Department Heads for an official opening of the academic year.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
End of Orientation Celebration
End of Orientation Celebration
During this time-honored RISD tradition, returning students pass the flame of knowledge to a new class. We will welcome the upcoming academic year and the close of orientation with a special celebration at the Met. You can snap a Polaroid with your friends, share your intentions on the wishing tree, and commemorate this milestone with the rest of the class.
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