Undergraduate International
Student Orientation
(International Graduate Students should check the "Graduate Orientation Schedule")
Embedded Files
Undergraduate International
September 3- September 5, 2026
International Student Orientation is for all students who identify as an international student. International students are expected to also attend New Student Orientation which is Sunday, September 6 -Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Attendance raffles will be held throughout International Student Orientation and New Student Orientation. When you attend and check in with your Involved Event Pass to any sessions marked with a ⭐ you will be added to a raffle to win lego sets, an Instax Polaroid camera, a Nintendo Switch 2 and more!
Thursday, September 3: International Student Move-in
Thursday, September 3: International Student Move-in
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Available for all undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Move-in & Orientation Check-in
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Move-in & Orientation Check-in
It all begins today! Check in with the International Student & Scholar Affairs (ISSA) team (required for all international students) with your immigration documents before moving into your new home. Then, check in with the orientation team for orientation essentials and get settled in your new space!
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 undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Shopping Shuttles
Shopping Shuttles
Forget something when you packed? 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. Check out our what to bring in this quick guide.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Group time with Orientation Leaders (OLs)
Group time with Orientation Leaders (OLs)
Don’t need to go on the shopping shuttles? Join your Orientation Leaders (OLs) in meeting the rest of your orientation group. Check your Orientation Name Tag for your assigned Group Letter. Once you know your letter you can look up the location of your group here. This location will be your group time meeting spot (unless your OL tells you otherwise). If you are lost or confused feel free to connect with your OL in your google group chats!
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner
Join your fellow students in the dining hall for dinner! Available for all undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
RISD Museum Scavenger Hunt 🔎
RISD Museum Scavenger Hunt 🔎
Explore the eclectic galleries of the RISD Museum and kickstart new friendships and connections at the first of our Orientation Night events! This scavenger hunt highlights how the museum serves as an incredible resource for students and celebrates both past and current artists creating and discovering their positionality at RISD.
Friday, September 4 : International Student Orientation Day 1
Friday, September 4 : International Student Orientation Day 1
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Breakfast
Breakfast
Available for all undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
10:00 AM – 11:45 AM
10:00 AM – 11:45 AM
International Tea & Talk ⭐
International Tea & Talk ⭐
Join the Center for Arts & Language (A&L), ISSA and your Orientation Leaders for your first International Orientation Session! While sipping on a variety of different teas you will be introduced to the offices, learn more about being an international student at RISD and have an opportunity to ask questions you may have or be anxious about."
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch
Available for all undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Navigating Systems: At RISD and in the U.S. ⭐
Navigating Systems: At RISD and in the U.S. ⭐
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
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Snack Around the World Scavenger Hunt
Snack Around the World Scavenger Hunt
Explore campus one snack at a time!
At the end of the Navigating Systems presenation a RISD staff will dismiss you in small groups to waiting Orientation Leaders. In your groups OLs will escourt you around campus to 5 locations on campus that are important for international students to know. At each location you will learn about the resource from the student leaders waiting for you and be able to grab different snacks from around the world.
Bring your tote bag from check in so you have something to carry all your snacks!
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Prepare for Your Year
Prepare for Your Year
Join your Student Leaders in finishing your preparations for the school year.
Choose from any of the below activities to join in on the fun and get to know your Student Leaders! Each activity is in a different location on campus. You should have time to check out more then one!
Choose from any of the below activities to join in on the fun and get to know your Student Leaders! Each activity is in a different location on campus. You should have time to check out more then one!
Join your Residence Advisors (RAs) and play a game of Kahoot! Win a prize and learn about living on campus. You will also be able to make your own plant pot!
Join the Health and Wellness Ambassadors (HAWAs) in picking from a variety of wellness supplies to create your own wellness bag before the start of the year. Don’t forget to bring your orientation tote bags to put all your supplies in!
Bring all your questions about academics at RISD to your Peer Success Mentors (PSM’s). Curious about what your classes will be like? Want help accessing your class schedule in Workday? The PSM’s are here to help!
Are you so excited to go to events at RISD and make new friends? Well come meet your Campus Activities Board (CAB). Learn about all the amazing events you can attend at RISD and share any fun ideas you might have for events you want to see on campus! Oh yeah and play some games with us on the beach, we will be jamming to music and having some fun!!
🔥Hot Spot Tour with your OLs - leaving Carr House by 3:40 PM
Are you interested in finding all the most popular local spots around campus? Join your Orientation Leaders (OLs) in a walk to check out the popular restaurants and shops around RISD and Brown.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner
Join your fellow students in the dining hall for dinner! Available for all undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Worldchella 🎶🪩
Worldchella 🎶🪩
Hiii friends, welcome to your first college party, Worldchella!
Get down to 15 West, Fleet library!
Let’s celebrate the crazy journey ahead with a night of music, dancing, and meeting new people that might eventually become your RISD homies for the next four years!
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 undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
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 Health and Wellness Ambassador (HAWAs) and grab some free goodies.
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM
HAWA Pop-Ins
HAWA Pop-Ins
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.
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Your F-1 Journey: What It Means to Be an International Student ⭐
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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❗
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch
Available for all undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Group time with Orientation Leaders (OLs)
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Group time with Orientation Leaders (OLs)
Join your OLs for your last Group Time together before the rest of your class joins us on campus tomorrow. Meet your OLs at your designated Group Time location for Activities. Your assigned letter group was written on your name tag during check in. If you forgot your location check the location of your assigned letter group here.
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Shopping Shuttles
Shopping Shuttles
Forget something when you packed? Don’t worry, we got you! Hop on the shopping shuttles with us to take a trip to Target. Shuttles depart campus at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. Check out our what to bring quick guide.
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 have so many fun games, chill activities, and your aura maxing OLs.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Dinner
Dinner
Available for all undergraduate international students. Show the colored dot on your ID to the staff at the front desk of the Met.
That's a wrap for International Orientation 2026! See you tomorrow for the start of New Student Orientation!
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