International Students—Welcome!

We are so excited to welcome you to the University of Rochester community! This website is designed to give you the most useful and up to date information to help you prepare for your arrival in Rochester. Please check this site frequently for updates and important information.

Planning Your Arrival

Submit an international student arrival form after you have made your travel arrangements.

Please plan to arrive between 9am and 4pm on August 22nd. If you are unable to arrive during those times please arrive a day early and make arrangements to stay at a local hotel. You can take a taxi or hotel shuttle to campus to arrive during the prepared arrival day. By arriving between 9-4pm on the 22nd you will be able to take advantage of these services specially arranged for you:

  • Airport pick up by UR shuttle
  • Help with your luggage and moving in to your room
  • Getting a student I.D. card
  • Check-in with International Services Office
  • Meet your international student mentor and other international students
  • Welcome Dinner for students and families
  • Evening group activity with mentors

Your International Student Mentor

All new international students and other students from abroad will automatically be matched with an international student mentor. This summer you will be contacted by email by your International Student Mentor by email. Your mentor is going to help you transition to the UR, Rochester and the U.S.! They will be like your big brother or big sister on campus.; This summer please email any of the mentors with your questions or just to say “Hi!”. Check this website often for tips and links.

Your Arrival Day

Meet us at the Susan B. Anthony Residence Hall Building. The UR airport shuttle will automatically drop you off here. If you are arriving after 4:00 pm on the 22nd or any day after please go directly to your residence hall area office and ask for a Resident Advisor to assist you.

Your First Days on Campus

Your first days on campus will be packed with fun and important activities. You will meet your mentor, your fellow international students, your roommate/s and hallmates, Resident Advisor (RA), your pre-major adviser and many more! Here are some of the activities you won’t want to miss that are only offered to our students coming from abroad:

August 22

Meet your mentors and move in to residence halls
Immigration Check-in with the International Services Office

Welcome Dinner for students and families & mentor activity

August 23

EXPO, an assembly of campus and other resources
International Students’ Shuttle Bus Trips for SHOPPING!

ESOL program Meet & Greet (1pm)
Join your classmates for Student Orientation Program (4:00 pm)

August 29

International Student Orientation Program (9:00 am-1:00 pm)
Third Culture Kids (TCK) and other visa holders planning to change to a UR sponsored student visa are welcome