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.
What you can do right now!
- Learn more about your international orientation leaders below! If you want to chat with one of them, email us!
- There will be time to review your course schedule with an Academic Counselor during Orientation. Transfer students should meet separately in advance with an academic advisor to confirm course schedule and transfer credits.
- Complete the with details of when you're arriving on campus or if you need to use our airport pickup service (only available on Wednesday, January 28th). The deadline to sign up is Friday, January 23rd.
Spring 2026 Undergraduate Orientation Schedule
The Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) is ready to welcome you to your new campus during the week of January 26th. We will be open from Monday to Friday to help you complete the immigration check-in process. Please check each day to see when we will be doing check-ins.
In the meantime, please complete the so we can know when you're arriving on campus or if you need to be picked up from the airport. The deadline to sign up is Friday, January 23rd.
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. .
8:00 – 12:00 and 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 3:00pm and bring your passport, VISA, I-20, and hard copies of your official transcripts. The meeting will last around 30 minutes.
14:00 – 15:00 Guided Campus Tour
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
Take a tour of campus with an International Orientation Leader or by using the self-guided app which will show you all the best parts of campus.
17:00 Dinner with International Admissions
The View – Anderson Student Center (ASC) 2nd floor
Join the International Admissions staff for dinner at The View. Families and guests are welcome to attend.
8:00 – 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 3:00pm and bring your passport, VISA, I-20, and hard copies of your official transcripts. The meeting will last around 30 minutes.
9:30 – 11:30 Academic Advising Drop-In Hours
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
You will be able to meet with your Academic Advisors at this time for any questions that you have about your classes and class schedule.
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch at The View with International Orientation Leaders
The View – Anderson Student Center (ASC) 2nd floor
Join your International Orientation Leaders and OISS for lunch at The View. Families and guests are welcome to attend.
13:30 - 15:00 OISS Orientation Session - Required
Anderson Student Center (ASC), 2nd Floor 202
This session is required for all undergraduate international students. OISS will discuss immigration regulations necessary to maintain status as well as ways to get involved throughout the year.
15:30 – 18:00 U.S. Bank, Target
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
OISS will be taking students to Highland Park, St. Paul to visit Target and US Bank.
18:30 - 20:00 Bowling with OISS
Anderson Student Center (ASC), Lower Level
Join us for a fun night of bowling with other international students and OISS staff! Food will be provided.
08:30 – 14:30 Spring Orientation
Woulfe Alumni Hall – Anderson Student Center (ASC) 3rd Floor
All undergraduate international students are required to attend the entire session and should not make any other appointments If you have an accommodation request, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 651-962-6050 or orientation@stthomas.edu. This session gives students new to St. Thomas the opportunity to learn about navigating our community, meet other new students, and get any last-minute questions answered.
15:30 Mall of America Trip
Meet in Global Learning Center – Murray Herrick Center (MHC) 212
Join your International Orientation Leaders on a trip to the Mall of America. There, you will be able to shop for any items that you might need as well as get a SIM card for your phone. There are also lots of food options. Bring US Currency or a bank/debit/credit card that can be used in the USA. Transportation provided.
Spring Meal Plans begin at 9:00 am.
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.
Raquel
Country you call home: Bolivia
Languages Spoken: Spanish
Bio: Hola! I’m Raquel, a Biochemistry major here at St. Thomas. I grew up in Bolivia and spent my last two years of high school in India at UWC Mahindra College. I enjoy music, art, sunsets, and love traveling whenever I get the chance. Always happy to connect and hope to see you around!
Nikhil
Country you call home: India
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Marwari, and a little bit of Haryanvi and Punjabi.
Bio: Hey, this is Nikhil majoring in computer science and minoring in finance. I like to go out with friends, love cooking, and exploring new places.
Nita
Country you call home: Iran
Languages Spoken: Farsi
Bio: I'm majoring in biology with a minor in nutrition on a pre-dental track. I’m a on the board of the biology club and in the honors program. I love to dance and drink coffee (also finding really cute restaurants and coffee shops)
Hoang
Country you call home: Vietnam
Languages Spoken: Vietnamese
Bio: I’m Hoang, majoring in computer science and minoring in finance. I like to play sports, cafe hopping, trying out new things.
Minh
Country you call home: Vietnam
Languages Spoken: Vietnamese
Bio: Hi! My name is Minh, I'm also known as Mindy. I’m an Entrepreneurship student who enjoys connecting with people and learning about different cultures. I’m excited to help new international students feel connected at St. Thomas!
Dhruv
Country you call home: Gujarat
Languages Spoken: Gujarati, Hindi
Bio: Hello everyone, Dhruv here. Double majoring in Entrepreneurship and leadership management. Love to go on adventures and hangout with friends. Reach out if any questions.
Bee
Country you call home: Ethiopia
Languages Spoken: French, English, Amharic.
Bio: Selam! My name is Beemnet ( Bee), I am an international student from Ethiopia, majoring in international studies and minoring in economics. I love getting involved on campus, hanging out with my friends and helping people.
Akshataa
Country you call home: Nepal
Languages Spoken: Nepali
Bio: My name is Akshataa and I'm an international student from Nepal. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, listening to music and am keen on learning new things.