International Student Orientation is an exciting and intense mandatory three day program that takes place the week before classes start. Designed for all new international undergraduate, graduate and exchange students, Orientation covers a variety of topics crucial for a successful start at Marquette - including tips for social and academic success at Marquette, advice on life in Milwaukee, campus academic and support resources, public safety, a review of the F-1 and J-1 regulations, and your mandatory MU health insurance - and also provides social opportunities to connect with other new international students. You can find the schedule for your orientation following the short welcome video below.

Given the importance of the topics covered at Orientation, you should be sure to arrive to Marquette/Milwaukee in time to attend this program. In particular, the F-1/J-1 sessions and the health insurance session cover material you must know in order to maintain your legal status in in the U.S. and to avoid very high bills for medical services. 

In addition to International Student Orientation, you may also have departmental or assistantship related programs that you need to attend before the start of the semester, so be sure to consider these programs as well when making your travel plans.

Fall orientation schedule

For fall semester 2024, Orientation will take place August 19 - 21. An overview of the Orientation schedule can be found below this paragraph and a detailed schedule will be shared at the Check In session the first day of orientation. (Details in the overview below are subject to change through July, so be sure to review the schedule in early August to be sure your are looking at the most up to date version.)

All new F-1 and J-1 international students are expected to attend orientation. Students who cannot arrive for Orientation must contact Mr. Michael Groen in the Office of International Education at michael.groen@marquette.edu for details on how to make up the mandatory orientation sessions on the F-1/J-1 regulations and on the health insurance coverage required of MU international students. 

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Monday, August 19

8:30am - 9:00am          

Check-in for International Student Orientation (Marquette Place, Alumni Memorial Union (AMU))

9:00am - 10:00am

Introductory Session  (Marquette Place, Alumni Memorial Union (AMU))

10:00am - 11:30am

Welcome, Schedule Overview, Registrar and MU Central (Weasler Auditorium)

11:30am - 12:30pm

Lunch (On your own)  Also a chance to get your MU ID card or visit the off-campus housing office.

12:30pm - 1:00pm

Academic Honesty (Marquette Hall 100)

 

 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Mandatory - Wellness & Health Insurance (Marquette Hall 100)

 3:00 - 4:30

Navigating U.S./MU Academic and Social Culture  (Marquette Hall 100)

5:00 - 6:00 pm

Welcome Dinner (The Commons - 721 N. 17th St.)

Tuesday, August 20

8:30am - 11:30am

English Placement Test.(Cudahy 101)

For most new degree seeking undergraduate students on at F-1 visa at MU. Bring MU ID or passport.

9:30am - 10:00am 

Welcome, Tips, and Resources for Graduate Students (Marquette Hall 100)

10:00am - 12:00am

MANDATORY - F-1 Visa Regulations for Graduate Students (Marquette Hall 100)

Bring your I-20, passport, and I-94 to this session.

(I-94s can be printed at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/) 

10:30pm - 12:00pm

J-1 Exchange Student Orientation & Class Scheduling (At College Office)

12:00pm - 1:15pm

Lunch (on your own)

J-1 Exchange Student Lunch (Holthusen 403)

1:30pm - 2:30pm  

MANDATORY - Safety, Discrimination, and Sexuality on Campus (Marquette Hall 100) 

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Living in an Urban American Environment/Public Safety (Marquette Hall 100)

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Mandatory - F-1 Visa Regulations for Undergraduate Students (Marquette Hall 100)

Bring your I-20, passport, and I-94 to this session.

(I-94s can be printed at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/) 

Wednesday, August 21

 

9:00am - 10:30am

MANDATORY - J-1 Regulations for Exchange Students   (Marquette Hall 100)

Bring your DS-2010, passport, and I-94 to this session.

(I-94s can be printed at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/)  
 

 

11:00am

Temporary Housing Ends

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Coffee and Question Hour (Holthusen Hall: OIE Program Center)

End your orientation week with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks at OIE while asking any final questions before classes start next week.

 

 

Spring orientation schedule

For spring semester 2025, Orientation will take place January 8 -  January 10.  An overview of the Orientation schedule can be found below this paragraph.  A detailed schedule will be shared at the Orientation Check In session the first day of orientation. 

All new F-1 and J-1 international students are expected to attend orientation. Students who cannot arrive by August 19 must contact Mr. Michael Groen in the Office of International Education at michael.groen@marquette.edu for details on how to make up the mandatory orientation sessions on the F-1/J-1 regulations and on the health insurance coverage required of MU international students.  

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Wednesday, January 8

8:30am - 9:00am          

Check-in for International Student Orientation (Sensenbrenner Hall 304)

9:00am - 11:30am

Welcome, Schedule Overview, and General Topics      (Sensenbrenner Hall 304)

 11:30am - 1:30pm

Lunch (On your own)  Also a chance to get your MU ID card or visit the off-campus housing office.

1:30pm - 4:30pm

English Placement Test. (Cudahy Hall 101)

For most new degree seeking undergraduate students on at F-1 visa at MU. Bring MU ID or passport.

5:00pm

Welcome Dinner (OIE - Holthusen Hall, 4th Floor)

Thursday, January 9

9:00am - 10:30am

Navigating US Academic and Cultural Life (Sensenbrenner Hall 304)

10:30am - 11:00am 

Living in an Urban American Environment (Sensenbrenner Hall 304)

11:00am - 12:00am

Wellness and Health Insurance - Mandatory Session

(Sensenbrenner Hall 304)

12:00pm - 1:15pm

Lunch (On your own)

1:30pm - 2:00pm  

Academic Honesty - Mandatory Session
(Sensenbrenner Hall 304)

2:15pm - 3:45pm

Safety, Discrimination, and Sexuality on Campus 
MANDATORY  (Sensenbrenner Hall 304)

Friday, January 10

 

9am - 10:30am

J-1 Regulations - MANDATORY for Exchange Students (Holthusen Hall: OIE Program Center)

Bring your DS-2010, passport, and I-94 to this session. (I-94s can be printed at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/)  

9:30 am

F-1 Undergraduate Student Academic Advising - Mandatory 

New first-year and transfer students should go to their college office promptly at 9:30am. Academic advisors may meet with you as a group and then individually to discuss your course selection, transfer credits, and other academic issues. The college offices are located at: 

College of Arts & Sciences: Sensenbrenner Hall, Room 005

College of Business Administration: O’Brien Hall, Room 111

College of Communication: Johnston Hall, Room 122

College of Education: Schroeder Complex, Room 146

Graduate students should contact their assigned advisors in their departments for class registration assistance.  

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Lunch (On your own)

1:30pm to 2:30pm

J-1 Exchange Student Academic Advising - Mandatory (Check back for locations)

Students who are part of the exchange exchange programs will meet with faculty members by College.  

2:00pm - 3:30pm

F-1 Regulations - Mandatory for all F-1 Students (Holthusen Hall: OIE Program Center)

Learn about the federal regulations you must know and follow to maintain your F-1 status in the U.S. Topics include enrollment requirement,s on-campus and off campus employment, Social Security Numbers, and more.

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Coffee and Question Hour (Holthusen Hall: OIE Program Center)

End your orientation week with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks at OIE while asking any final questions before classes start next week.