All F-1, J-1 and change of status students who are starting their program in the Fall or Winter semester must attend a group International Orientation which is right before classes start.  All F-1 degree seeking students, J-1 and change of status students who are starting their program in the summer must schedule a one on one orientation with the International Advisor at the ISSO. 

The Summer International Student Orientation is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2013 in the Lake MI Room in the Oakland Center and is required of all new, transferring and changing of status international students.  The Fall International Student Orientation is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, August 28 and 29, 2013  in the Gold Rooms of the Oakland Center and is required of all new, transferring and changing of status international students.  The orientation program provides information you will need to become acquainted with your new academic environment, life in the Oakland area and in the United States in general. The orientation presentations will answer many questions you may have, particularly during the first few weeks of your arrival. The orientation also will direct you to other sources of information and services available to you on and off campus. By attending orientation, you will meet the ISSO staff and other international students from all over the world. 

Attending the orientation program, we believe, is crucial to the success of your educational endeavors at Oakland University. Therefore, please plan to attend the orientation program in the Lake Michigan Room (Summer) or Gold Rooms A,B,C  (Fall)in the Oakland Center.  You MUST attend and be on time and please no guests. You must attend BOTH days in the fall.

Once you receive your visa please sign up for the mandatory orientation for the appropriate term by filling out the orientation form summer or orientation form fall and submit it to us by either fax: 248-370-3351 or by email to Gayle Al-Habashneh at alhabash@oakland.edu.  Transfer students or change of status students MUST also sign up and attend our mandatory orientation and submit the orientation form summer or orientation form fall by either fax: 248-370-3351 or by email to Gayle  at alhabash@oakland.edu.    
 

Items to Bring Please bring the following items to orientation:

Passport I-94 card, which is the white card stapled inside your passport Form I-20 or DS-2019 $1557 for health insurance or a health insurance waiver Undergraduates need course descriptions translated in English If you have F-2 or J-2 dependants (spouse or children) who traveled with you to the U.S., bring their I-20/DS-2019s, I-94 cards, and passports.

Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you need assistance before orientation, call or visit our office or search our website. In case you are unable to attend the orientation, you must visit our office with all your immigration documents before you can register for classes. At that time, you also must purchase the mandatory health insurance unless you are otherwise exempt.

 If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. The ISSO staff is looking forward to meeting you and personally welcoming you.