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Undergraduate Orientation

Day of Arrival and Orientation Information

Fall 2025 International Undergraduate Student In-Person Arrival and Orientation Schedule

Cranwell International offers robust in-person orientation programming for incoming international students.

  • International Student Move-In Dates: August 17 and 18, 2025.
  • If you haven’t already please take a moment to fill the Fall 2025 Arrival Transportation Survey and Orientation Schedule.
  • Cranwell International Center uses this survey to assign check-in dates with VT Housing that coordinate with your travel arrangements.

  • International Students Traveling with Family: August 17, 2025, Squires Student Center Ballroom, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Families welcome.
  • International Students Traveling Solo: August 18, 2025, Squires Student Center Ballroom, 5:30-7:30 p.m. In order to sign up for a dinner, please fill out the travel survey.

  • International Students Traveling with Family: August 18, 2025, Squires Student Center Ballroom, 9-11:30 a.m. Families welcome.
  • International Students Traveling Solo: August 19, 2025, Squires Student Center Ballroom, 9-11:30 a.m.

  • Please attend the resource fair right outside the Squires Ballroom after orientation where there will be local banks, cell phone companies, the Student Medical Insurance office, Rec Sports, and Immigration Support Services.
  • August 18 and 19, 2025, 11 a.m.-noon, Squires Student Center outside the Ballroom.

  • Campus tours will be offered from 1-2 p.m., starting outside the Squires Ballroom.
  • Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19.

  • There are a list of required immunizations you must get in order to attend VT. For a list of those immunizations, you can visit the Schiffert Health Center website.
  • If you would like to get these immunizations as part of Orientation, we have clinics set up with Schiffert Health Center. We will include a sign up as part of the Travel Survey.
  • Tuesday August 19-Thursday August 21 between 1:30-4 p.m.

  • Cranwell hosts student-led excursions to various surrounding stores to get your basic needs met. This includes Kroger (the local grocery store), Oasis World Market (international grocery store), Walmart, and Target. Vans meet at Squires on the Alumni Mall side.
  • Monday the 18 and Tuesday the 19, 3-5:30 p.m.

  • All students are welcome to enjoy a dance party that celebrates music and dancing from around the world!
  • Wednesday, August 20, 8-11 p.m. in Squires Ballroom.

Details

Pre-Arrival Orientation:

  • Please make sure to check the Pre-Arrival Canvas Course for all your pre-arrival questions.
  • Also, please attend our Pre-Arrival Webinar Series. All webinars will be recorded and loaded into the Canvas Course for your reference.

Orientation:

  • New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) coordinates orientation for new undergraduate students including international students. Information regarding mandatory online modules and registration for orientation will be sent from orientation@vt.edu. The detailed orientation schedule will be communicated by NSFP, and viewed on Hokies on Track app once it is updated.

Academic Advising:

  • Academic advising for new international students is coordinated by each college, please look out for emails from your academic college/department. You will meet with your academic advisor and select classes during the advising sessions.

On-campus housing move-in:

  • If you are an international student who has an on-campus Housing contract for Spring 2025, detailed moving information will be communicated by Housing, so please look out for emails from housing@vt.edu.

Pre-Arrival Webinar Series

If you missed one of these webinars, the recordings live on the Pre-Arrival Canvas Course.

Securing Your Visa Status

Learn about the process for obtaining your F-1 or J-1 visa as well as some basic immigration information to make your transition to VT as smooth as possible.

Transportation

Learn the transportation options for getting to campus from your arrival flight as well as Blacksburg’s transit system so that you can pick routes that work for you.

Off-Campus Housing

Learn from VT’s Office of Off-Campus Housing about all the ways you find an apartment, things to consider when renting, and different lease options.

On-Campus Housing for Undergraduate Students

Learn about the advantages of learning living centers and how you can successfully live with roommates in VT on-campus housing.

Student Medical Insurance and Immunizations

Learn the requirements for medical insurance while being a VT student. Schiffert Health Center will go over all of you required immunizations and important, upcoming deadlines.

F-2 and Family Preparation

Coming to the U.S. with dependents? Learn about community resources, school enrollment for kids, and public health basics.

Financial Wellness

Learn the basics of American banking and best practices for managing your money while being a VT student.

It’s Your Career

Learn the resources and processes that will help you start your career journey at VT. Join the Career and professional Development Office the Co-Op Program from The Graduate School to learn more about internships, job opportunities, resume building, and more!

Campus Life

Learn about the many possibilities to get involved with campus- student organizations, upcoming events, and recreational sports!

Student Panel Discussion and Q&A

Connect with current international students about their experiences finding a home at VT!