International student orientation schedule, fall 2024

Welcome international students and families!

Orientation details for international students arriving in fall 2024 will be shared when available.

Please note that the following events are subject to change. You will receive the final schedule when you arrive.

Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024

8 a.m.-midnight Residence Hall check-in. Check-in at your assigned residence hall for room keys/fob. The Global Ambassadors and Welcome Team will assist you to your assigned room and direct you to the next steps.

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Enrollment checklist, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough lobby. Join the international admissions team to confirm all necessary documents have been submitted.

9 a.m.-9 p.m. OISSS open house and check-in, Gerber Center, G?vle 402. Pick up meal cards and welcome bags filled with treats and goodies. Free grab items while supplies last: school supplies, and essential items.  

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Brunch, Gerber Center dining room.

5-7 p.m. Dinner, Gerber Center dining room. 

Monday, Aug. 26, 2024

8-9:30 a.m. Continental breakfast and check-in, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough lobby.

8 a.m.-12 p.m. Photo I.D. station, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough lobby. Still need an Augie I.D? Take advantage of our photo station, Welcome Team will assist to take your picture and submission. Stop by to ensure your ID is ready for the start of the semester! Reminder: Augie IDs can be picked up during the Resource Fair on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m.

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Enrollment checklist, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough lobby. Join the international admissions team to confirm all necessary documents have been submitted.

8 a.m.-midnight Residence Hall check-in. Check-in at your assigned residence hall for room keys/fob. The Global Ambassadors and Welcome Team will assist you to your assigned room and direct you to the next steps.

9 a.m.-9 p.m. OISSS open house and check-in, Gerber Center, G?vle 402. Pick up meal cards and welcome bags filled with treats and goodies. Free grab items while supplies last: school supplies, and essential items.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Chase Bank, meet at the Gerber Center dining room lobby. (Optional) Open your new bank account with Chase. You must bring the original documents of your I-20, passport and VISA, and have your Augustana email address and mailbox number.

• Free transportation (white Augustana fan) to Chase Bank departs Gerber at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Transportation to campus departs the bank at 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Shopping adventure: Walmart and Marshalls, meet at the Gerber Center dining room lobby. (Optional) Take time to shop for school supplies, personal hygiene products, essential items, laptops, phone plans and more.

• Free transportation (yellow bus) to the stores departs Gerber at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• Transportation to campus departs the shops at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Brunch, Gerber Center dining room.

2-3 p.m. Campus Tours with Campus Navigators, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough lobby. (Optional) Campus Navigators will direct you to the Business Office, Financial Aid and Augustana Bookstore. Parents and families welcome.

5-7 p.m. Dinner, Gerber Center dining room. 

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024

8-9:30 a.m. Continental breakfast and check-in, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough lobby.

9 a.m.-9 p.m. OISSS open house and check-in, Gerber Center, G?vle 402. Pick up meal cards and welcome bags filled with treats and goodies. Free grab items while supplies last: school supplies, and essential items.

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Chase Bank, meet at the Gerber Center dining room lobby. (Optional) Open your new bank account with Chase. You must bring the original documents of your I-20, passport and VISA, and have your Augustana email address and mailbox number.

• Free transportation (white Augustana van) to Chase Bank departs Gerber at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Transportation to campus departs the bank at 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Shopping adventure: Walmart and Marshalls, meet at the Gerber Center dining room lobby. (Optional) Take time to shop for school supplies, personal hygiene products, essential items, laptops, phone plans and more.

• Free transportation (yellow bus) to the stores departs Gerber at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• Transportation to campus departs the shops at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Brunch, Gerber Center dining room.

2-3 p.m. Campus Tours with Campus Navigators, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough lobby. (Optional) Campus Navigators will direct you to the Business Office, Financial Aid and Augustana Bookstore. Parents and families welcome.

5-6:30 p.m. Dinner, Gerber Center dining room. 

7 p.m. Outdoor movie night, Viking Plaza (lower quad near the Slough). (Mandatory) Lights, camera, action! Join the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity (OSID) and Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) for a great movie, popcorn, and snacks under the stars. Social Connection Hour begins at 7 p.m. Movie showing begins at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

8-9:30 a.m. Continental breakfast and check-in, Olin auditorium. Parents and families welcome.

9 a.m. Welcome presentation for international students and families, Olin auditorium. (Mandatory) Hear from President Andrea Talentino; Dr. Wes Brooks, Vice President and Dean of Student Life & Student Engagement; Dr. Gauri Pitale, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS). Parents and families welcome. 

9:15 a.m. "Setting Yourself Up for Success" presentation, Olin auditorium. (Mandatory) Hear about billing and payments through Flywire, financial aid award packages, dining and residential life, and submitting proof of medical insurance. Parents and families welcome. 

10 a.m. "Getting Involved on Campus" presentation, Olin auditorium. (Mandatory) Hear from the Office of Student Life (OSL), the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity (OSID), Student Activities, Student Government Association and Greek Life. Plus, meet your Welcome Week peer mentors, who will cover what to expect during Welcome Week. Parents and families welcome. 

10:20-10:30 a.m. Break.

10:30-11 a.m. "Academic Success" presentation, Olin auditorium. (Mandatory) Learn about the the resources in Learning Commons, tutoring services, disability services, the academic calendar, FERPA, academic integrity and the Augustana Honor Code. Parents and families welcome. 

11 a.m.-12 p.m. "Focusing on Your Wellbeing and Safety" presentation, Olin auditorium. (Mandatory) Learn about counseling and campus services, asking for help, how to cope, the clinic, the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention Education (OSAPE), campus safety and student conduct. Parents and families welcome. 

12 p.m. Lunch, Gerber Center dining room. Parents and families welcome.

1 p.m. "Visa Check-In: F-1/J-1 Visa Maintaining Status Form," Olin Auditorium. (Mandatory) Required for all international students and scholars holding F-1/J-1 visas. Immigration 101 and know your rights presentations. Students only.

2-3 p.m. Campus visit, Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough. Campus Navigators will direct you to the Business Office, Financial Aid and Augustana Bookstore. Parents and families only.

2 p.m. "Student Employment: Working on Campus and Social Security," Olin Auditorium. (Mandatory) Looking for a job on campus? Learn when to get an employment letter, get guidance on mastering work etiquette, and how to apply for a security security number. Lastly, where to apply for an on-campus job and where to go to get your resume ready. Students only.

2:30 p.m. "Bystander Intervention," Olin Auditorium. (Mandatory) Zachary Draves, Program Coordinator for Office of Sexual Assault Prevention Education (OSAPE), leads bystander intervention that equips you with strategies to help create a safe and inclusive environment. Students only.

3 p.m. "Living in America: Culture Shock," Olin Auditorium. (Mandatory) Global Ambassadors explore challenges and opportunities of adjusting to life in the U.S. and at Augustana College. Gain valuable tips on navigating cultural differences, to assist in your transition to your new home. Students only.

3:30 p.m. Trivia and the great giveaway, Olin Auditorium. (Mandatory) Test your knowledge on what you've learned and compete for a chance to win prizes. Students only.

3:30 p.m. Check-in with your Global Ambassador. (Mandatory) New international Vikings, please check-in with your global 
ambassador.

5-6:30 p.m. Dinner, Gerber Center dining room. 

6-9:30 p.m. Social Hour: Bowling Night, meet at the Gerber Center dining room lobby at 6:15 p.m. (Optional) The bus leaves at 6:3- p.m. This free event is led by the Global Ambassadors and has limited seating.

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024

8-9:30 a.m. Continental breakfast and check-in. (Gerber Center dining room, fireplace)

9 a.m. "How International Students Thrive: Integral Factors International Students Must Understand and Develop in Order to Thrive at Augustana College," Gerber Center, G?vle rooms. (Mandatory) Dr. Jacob Romaniello will be joined by a panel of Reading/Writing Center peer tutors (who happen to be international students) to discuss what to do in order to thrive at Augustana College. Addressing the less-than-obvious but all-too-common pitfalls to success that plague international students at Augustana, highlighting several hidden factors that determine college success among international students, such as: (1) Language skills and cultural competence are important but not necessarily the most important, (2) Research shows EQ is more important than IQ, (3) Prioritization of wellness and mental health, and (4) Social and emotional learning outside the classroom is vital for success in life.

10 a.m. "Academic Success and Expectations: Faculty/Staff Panel," Gerber Center, G?vle rooms. (Mandatory) Join a panel of international faculty and staff for a discussion on what to expect during class meetings at Augustana and how to thrive as an international student. We'll explore key differences in teaching styles, classroom participation, and academic expectations, while offering strategies for navigating these new experiences. Get tips and insights to help you succeed both academically and socially in your first year at Augustana. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions to the panelists. Panelists include: Dr. Khalil Andani, Religion, Dr. T?ooane Molapo, Director of Institutional Research, Professor Nadia Schwartz, Accounting, and Dr. Xiaowen Zhang, Political Science. 

11 a.m. Augustana faculty and staff meet and greet: new international students, Gerber Center, G?vle rooms. (Mandatory) Join us to hear a few words from faculty/staff and mingle to personally introduce yourselves to them over international treats and goodies.

12-1 p.m. Lunch, Gerber Center dining room.

1-4 p.m. Advising and registration, Gerber Center fourth floor - You Belong Here lounge. (Mandatory) Check-in for advising and registration for students who need to complete registration.

1-4 p.m. Resource Fair, Gerber Center, G?vle rooms. (Mandatory) You're invited. Connect with Augie offices, learn more about student clubs and organizations, and have an opportunity to open a banking account with Quad Cities Bank & Trust. (Be sure to bring your passport to open a bank account.) While supplies last, free SIM Cards and health insurance information.

5-6:30 p.m. Dinner, Gerber Center dining room. 

8 p.m. Bonfire social hour with Global Ambassadors, Viking Plaza (lower quad near the Slough). (Mandatory) Enjoy your final evening of orientation with music and s'mores with the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity (OSID) and Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS). This will be a time for you to reflect on what you learned and the exciting, new journey that is ahead at Augustana.

What's next?

Welcome Week: Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2024

Labor Day (no classes, campus offices closed): Sept. 2, 2024

First Day of Class: Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024