Graduate Student International Orientation and Arrival Information
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International Graduate Student Orientation
OIS Orientation provides an opportunity for new international students to receive important information and meet new people as a way to help you make the transition into life in the U.S. and at the University of Pittsburgh.
The orientation program is a great way to start your journey!
It will help you meet people and establish yourself socially, and it will also provide critical information that will play a big role in ensuring you start off on the right track for successful academic career at Pitt.
Please come and meet other new and continuing international students, learn about how to manage life practicalities in the U.S. and at the University of Pittsburgh, learn about immigration information, health and safety information at Pitt, and much more…and all while engaging in fun, exciting, and (in most cases) free social and cultural activities! You will have many opportunities to take advantage of free and low-cost OIS-sponsored orientation social events and activities!
Register for Orientation here.
If you have questions regarding arrival and orientation please e-mail Janine Fisher.
Check-In Session & Essentials (required)
You are required to attend a mandatory two-hour immigration check-in & essentials program
with the Office of International Services by the starting date on your I-20. If you do not have an I-20 (fulbright and exchange students), you are still required to check-in with OIS by the first day of classes.
The check-in program will provide you with important information on maintaining your lawful status in the U.S. and allow you to fulfill initial reporting requirements mandated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Failure to attend the immigration check-in program within this time frame will end your lawful immigration status. You must check-in before you register for classes or get your Pitt ID.
This session will also include valuable essential information to help you get started in your adjustment to Pittsburgh. Topics include:
- Banking
- Cell Phones
- Housing and Utilities
- Transportation
- Health Insurance
This information is just the beginning of your orientation period at Pitt. Orientation week will be held August 17-21 and will include social events, and informational presentations.
You must be pre-registered for a check-in & essentials session.
Anyone arriving more than 15 minutes late, will not be able to check-in during that session and will have to register for another session.
Registration is Required!
| Friday, July 31 1-3pm William Pitt Union, 1st floor, Dining Room A |
Friday, August 7 1-3pm William Pitt Union, 1st floor, Dining Room A |
Monday, August 10 1-3pm William Pitt Union, Room 630 |
| Wednesday, August 12 1-3pm William Pitt Union, 1st floor, Dining Room A |
Friday, August 14 1-3pm William Pitt Union, Room 630 |
Monday, August 17 10am-12pm William Pitt Union, Room 630 |
| Tuesday, August 18 10am-12pm William Pitt Union, Room 630 |
Wednesday, August 19 10am-12pm William Pitt Union, Room 630 |
Thursday, August 20 10am-12pm William Pitt Union, Room 630 |
| Tuesday, August 25 1-3pm William Pitt Union, 6th floor, Room 630 |
Wednesday, August 26 1-3pm William Pitt Union, 7th floor, Room 700 |
Thursday, August 27 1-3pm William Pitt Union, 6th floor, Room 630 |
| Friday, August 28 1-3pm William Pitt Union, 6th floor, Room 630 |
Monday, August 31 1-3pm William Pitt Union, Room 630 |
Return to graduate student menu.
If you have questions regarding arrival and orientation please e-mail Janine Fisher.
Airport Pick Up
OIS is offering graduate students the service of picking you up at Pittsburgh International Airport.
To take advantage of this service, please arrange for your flight to arrive in Pittsburgh on one of the following days.
You are only allowed to register for ONE date.
Only register for yourself and traveling family members, DO NOT register for other new international students traveling with you, they must register for themselves.
Please click on the appropriate date below to register for this service.
You will receive detailed information about the pick-up times and the meeting place after you register.
Airport Pick Up Dates are:
| Tuesday, August 4 | Wednesday, August 5 |
| Thursday, August 6 | Tuesday, August 11 |
| Wednesday, August 12 | Thursday, August 13 |
| Tuesday, August 18 | Thursday, August 20 |
Airport registration is cut off 72 hours in advace of the pick-up date. You must register for your pick-up date at least three days prior.
If you are unable to arrive on an airport pick-up date, the Pittsburgh Port Authority bus, 28X runs from the airport into Oakland, you may also use the Super Shuttle.
Return to graduate student menu.
If you have questions regarding arrival and orientation please e-mail Janine Fisher.