Fall 2013 Orientation

Welcome to the University of Washington! FIUTS International Student Orientation is designed to support new international students as they transition to the UW community and learn about U.S. customs and lifestyles, the Seattle area and more. It is also a great way to explore our city and make friends with other UW students.

Top 5 Things You Should Know About

FIUTS International Student Orientation:

1) New international students starting Autumn Quarter 2013 are advised to arrive on September 9th or 10th.

2) ALL new students must complete ISS Check-In when you arrive on campus. You can check in at the Greeting Table (September 9-13). If you arrive late, you can check in at the FIUTS office in the HUB.

3) You do NOT need to register for FIUTS Orientation; all international students are automatically registered and pay a separate international student fee (included in your autumn quarter tuition statement) regardless of actual participation. Most Orientation activities are free, however several activities cost a small fee. You can sign up for these activities and pay when you arrive on campus at the Greeting Table.

4) If you are a freshman or transfer student, you should attend FIUTS International Student Orientation AND participate in a First Year Programs (FYP) Advising & Registration.

5) FIUTS Orientation is not required, however it is very fun and informative, so you do not want to miss it! If you have a conflict and cannot attend part of FIUTS Orientation, just attend the parts that fit with your schedule.

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Are you a freshman participating in the Early Fall Start (EFS) program? Orientation for EFS International Students will take place on August 26; more information is available here.

New international students receive weekly emails starting approximately two months before their orientation program. Did you miss a FIUTS orientation pre-arrival e-mail? Beginning in July, you can click here to see a web version for new students entering the UW in Fall 2013.

Fall 2013 Orientation Schedule

- currently under development & subject to change -

Monday, September 9th

Greeting Table, The HUB Lobby, 10:00am-1:00pm
Campus Tour, Depart from The HUB Lobby, 11:00am
Sponsors: TBA

Your first stop on campus! At the Greeting Table you can pick up your new international student arrival packet, talk to current UW students, report to ISS (required), and sign up for orientation activities. You should visit the Greeting Table on your first day on campus.

Please prepare and bring the required photocopies of your immigration documents with you to report to ISS at the Greeting Table. You can make copies of your documents at a copy machine in a campus library, or at one of the commercial copy centers on University Way.

Tuesday, September 10th

Greeting Table, The HUB Lobby, 10:00am-1:00pm
Campus Tour, Leave from The HUB Lobby, 11:00am
Sponsors: TBA

Wednesday, September 11th

Greeting Table, The HUB Lobby, 10:00am-1:00pm
Campus Tour, Depart from The HUB Lobby, 11:00am
Sponsors: TBA

Question & Answer Session for Parents, Location and Time TBD
Parents and other family members of international students are welcome to attend this session to ask questions about housing, visas, social activities, local resources, and other topics.

Opening Day, Meany Hall, 12:30pm-3:30pm
Sponsors: TBA
Your official welcome to the University of Washington! Meet other new international students and scholars and see speakers from the University of Washington, FIUTS and the community, including a special guest speaker soon to be announced. Parents and family members are welcome to attend!

Campus Activities, Various Locations, 3:30pm-6:30pm
Following Opening Day, there will be a variety of fun social activities to choose from. Meet other international students and FIUTS Facilitators while exploring the fun that can be had across the UW campus!

Thursday, September 12th

Greeting Table, The HUB Lobby, 10:00am-1:00pm
Campus Tour, Depart from The HUB Lobby, 11:00am
Sponsors: TBA

Seattle Challenge, Depart from The HUB Patio, Time TBD
Join a team to answer fun challenges in neighborhoods throughout Seattle. Each clue will be a lively and interactive experience designed to introduce you to Seattle’s public transportation system, distinct neighborhoods, local business, parks, culture, and major attractions. Sample coffee and snacks at local cafés, take photos with famous monuments, meet local business people, solve puzzles, and much more while making new friends along the way! The race ends with an after-party celebration and team awards.

Friday, September 13th

Greeting Table, The HUB Lobby, 10:00am-1:00pm
Campus Tour, Depart from The HUB Lobby, 11:00am

Northgate Mall Shopping Trip, Meet at Burke Museum Cafe, 12pm
Need to pick up some household items or a sleeping bag for camp? Join facilitators on a bus trip to Northgate Mall, and they will show you where to buy supplies for your room. Take the bus to Northgate Mall, located approximately 30 minutes north of the University District by bus.

FIUTS Community Barbeque (BBQ), Woodland Park, 4-8pm
Sponsors: TBA
Meet current students, community members, and other new international students and scholars at an American-style BBQ. Enjoy a game of soccer or frisbee. Families welcome! All food, condiments, water and sports equipment provided by FIUTS.
Meet outside the Burke Museum Cafe at 4pm to bus to Woodland Park

Saturday, September 14th - Sunday, September 15th

FIUTS Camp Weekend, Meet outside the Burke Museum Cafe on Saturday at 9:30am.

Spend a weekend at an American camp making friends and enjoying fun activities such as forest trails, sports, campfire, dancing, cultural skits and more. Bring a sleeping bag, clothes, shoes and a packed lunch for a picnic on the way. No alcohol allowed. ($50, advance sign-up required). Learn more about FIUTS Camp!

Monday, September 16th

Freshman Day with First Year Programs, The HUB, 11am-3pm
All freshmen students are expected to attend this important day to participate in academic advising, learn about immigration requirements with ISS, and enjoy interactive skits about student life at the UW.

Exchange Student Day, The HUB, 12pm-4pm
All students studying abroad at the UW through an academic exchange are required to attend! This session will address specific questions of students here on academic exchanges, as well as immigration requirements. Sessions will be followed by an off-campus social with current students who have previously studied abroad.

Graduate and Professional Student Day, The HUB, 10am-2pm
All international graduate and professional students are invited to attend this session to learn about important visa regulations pertaining to graduate and professional students and meet with advisors in your subject area to learn about requirements and services available to you. Sessions will be followed by an afternoon social with current graduate and professional students.

Tuesday, September 17th

Information Sessions, The HUB, 10am-3pm
International Student Orientation includes more than 30 different sessions created to provide information on a wide variety of topics. Sessions are a great way for you to learn about the array of opportunities and resources available to you during your time in Seattle and at the UW. All orientation sessions are outlined in the Orientation Program, which you will receive in your new student welcome packet at the FIUTS Greeting Table.

Pub Quiz, Quiz 1 (All Ages), 4-6pm | Quiz 2 (Ages 21 & Up), 6-8pm
Test your international trivia knowledge and win prizes at Pub Quiz! The more international your 6 person team is, the better your chances of winning. Enjoy happy hour food and drinks specials - there will be multiple quiz rounds. The back patio will be open (ages 21+ only) to relax while you're not playing. ($10, advance sign-up required).
Muphy's Pub | 1928 N. 45th Street - take #44 bus to Wallingford

Wednesday, September 18th

Information Sessions, The HUB, 10am-3pm

Mini World Cup Soccer, IMA Soccer Field, 4pm-8pm
Did your country miss out on the last World Cup Championship? Don't worry, you have another chance to win for your country! Compete in a mini-tournament for the FIUTS World Cup Championship, or come cheer on your favorite team!

Thursday, September 19th

Information Sessions, The HUB, 10am-4pm

Welcome Night, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, 7pm-9pm
Did you stay with a FIUTS host family or have a FIUTS friendship connection? If so, then you and your Host family or Friendship Connection are invited to join this reception to thank all of our community volunteers.

Friday, September 20th

Information Sessions, The HUB, 10am-12pm

Boat Cruise, Meet at Burke Museum Cafe at 1pm, 1pm-5pm
Go for a scenic harbor cruise aboard the Argosy Cruises' Spirit of Seattle. Enjoy views of downtown Seattle and the islands! ($15, advance sign-up required)