Welcome to the University of Massachusetts Amherst!
IPO is hosting a series of virtual information sessions in June to cover topics such as acclimating to Western Massachusetts, housing for undergrads, housing for grad students, and health and safety. Families are welcome to attend these virtual sessions and ask questions. Please log in to the ISO Moodle to register.
International Student Orientation
August 29th - September 1st!
Tuesday, August 29th
-
ISO Resource Fair (optional)
- Local banks, cell phone companies, on and off campus partners will be on hand to help new international students access resources and establish US bank accounts and cell phones.
- Early move in for students who pre-registered with Residential Life
Wednesday, August 30th
- ISO Undergraduate Session (mandatory)
- International Student Orientation for undergraduate students.
- Panels include: F-1 and J-1 visa regulations, health and safety, and campus resources
Thursday, August 31st
- ISO Graduate Session (mandatory)
- International Student Orientation for graduate students.
- First year move in (all undergraduates)
More information will be provided throughout the summer, please regularly check your UMass email account for updates.
Email us if you have questions about the International Student Orientation.
Schedules
Below are the schedules for ISO week, including daily schedules for individual orientation days. ISOfor undergraduates (8/30) and graduate students (8/31) are slightly different. Please be sure to refer to the correct schedule below. Remember that ISO is mandatory!
- Undergraduate Orientation Week
- Undergraduate ISO Sessions
- Graduate Orientation Week
- Graduate ISO Sessions
Spring 2023 Mandatory International Student Orientation (ISO) will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 and Friday, February 3, 2023 on campus.
Thursday, February 2nd
ISO Resource Fair
Friday, February 3rd
International Student Orientation
8:00am - 4:00pm
| Schedule | |
| 8:00am | Welcome and breakfast |
| 9:00am | F-1 Immigration Session |
| 10:00am | J-1 Immigration Session and Exchange Student Session |
| 11:00am | Office of Professional Development - Graduate School |
| 12:00pm | Lunch and peer question and answers |
| 1:00pm | Student Legal Services Office and University of Massachusetts Police Department |
| 2:00pm | Peer group question and answers |
Check your UMass email for the messages from International Programs Office (IPO).
All Exchange Students
Orientation information will be provided following your acceptance into your UMass Amherst Exchange Program. Refer to the pre-arrival information based on your academic level at UMass (graduate or undergraduate exchange) and the Exchange Student Schedule.
- August 30th: On-campus move-in on this date between 9AM to 10PM Eastern Standard Time as your Residence Hall’s Service Desk. Don’t forget to complete your move in reservation when it goes live August 15-23, 2022. Please see the Living at UMass Office website for further move-in information.
- If you are living off-campus, you are not required to arrive early on August 30th but are welcome to attend the activities.
- August 31st and September 1st: See the Exchange Student Schedule.
Graduate Degree Students (Master’s and Doctorate)
Orientation information will be provided following your I-20 or DS-2019 issuance. Don’t forget about the Graduate Student Orientation. More information will be available on the Graduate School website. Graduate Student Orientation is a separate orientation program. Your attendance at both orientation programs (ISO and Graduate Student Orientation) is mandatory.
- August 31st: Graduate students are invited to also attend the Chancellor’s Welcome at 5PM Eastern Standard Time.
- September 1st: Graduate sessions. See the Graduate Schedule.
Undergraduate Degree Students (Freshman and Academic Transfer-in)
Orientation information will be provided following your I-20 or DS-2019 issuance. Don't forget about the New Student Orientation & Transitions (NSOT) program. NSOT is a separate orientation program. Your attendance at both orientation programs (ISO and NSOT) is mandatory. For new international undergraduates with an on-campus housing assignment, early move-in is on August 30th. You will be charged a $60 per day early move in fee on your Bursar (school bill) during the Fall semester. Detailed housing information will be provided to you by the Living at UMass Amherst Office.
- August 30th: On-campus move-in on this date between 9AM to 10PM Eastern Standard Time as your Residence Hall’s Service Desk. Don’t forget to complete your move in reservation when it goes live August 15-23, 2022. Please see the Living at UMass Office website for further move-in information.
- August 31st: Undergraduate sessions. See the Undergraduate Schedule.
