Center for International Student Engagement Pre-Orientation Schedule

Thursday, August 24th

International Student Arrivals & Shuttles from Logan International Airport

All Day

All international students are expected to arrive on campus on Thursday, August 24 to participate in the New International Student Pre-Orientation. Shuttles will be provided from Boston Logan Airport to Amherst College for new international students who confirmed a reservation before the deadline. Students who did not sign up for the shuttle will be responsible for their own transportation to campus.

All participants

Health Center Check In

9am-12pm / 1pm-4pm • Keefe Health Center

If you have any outstanding requirements with the Health Center, please complete these at the earliest opportunity. Please call to schedule an appointment: 413-542-2267

Required participants only

Welcome Station at the First Year Quad

10am-11pm • Arrival & Move-In

Welcome to Amherst College! Please check in with the CISE staff on the First Year Quad. ISLs will help you get your room key and welcome bag, as well as locate your dormitory. We will provide students with an optional self-administered antigen test.

All participants

Lunch Available

12pm-1pm • Valentine Hall

Lunch will be available at the Valentine Hall as well. Be sure to bring your student ID!

All participants 

Bank appointments available

2pm-4pm • Bank of America, Amherst

If you’re settled into your dorms and ready to create a bank account, please be sure to sign up for slots on this day. Must request an appointment via the SignUp Genius link provided in the newsletter. More bank appointments will also be available on Friday, August 25th.

All participants

Free Sheets, Blankets, Towels Available

3pm-5pm

The Office of Sustainability collected donations from students. While everyone will have access to the FULL yard sale on Friday 8/25, Orr Rink will be open on 8/24 for students who wish to sift through any used sheets, blankets, and towels. Be sure to wash them with the laundry pods provided!

All participants

Dinner Available at Valentine Hall

5:00pm-7pm • Valentine Hall

Valentine Hall is open! Come have dinner with other students, and don't forget to bring your ID!

All participants 

Ice Cream Social!

7pm-8pm • Valentine Hall, Lewis Sebring Wing

Enjoy ice cream sundaes with your fellow Pre-O participants and ISLs! Newly arrived student athletes will also join.

All participants

Friday, August 25th

Health Center Check In

9am-12pm / 1pm-4pm • Keefe Health Center

If you have any outstanding requirements with the Health Center, please complete these at the earliest opportunity. Please call to schedule an appointment: 413-542-2267

All participants

Breakfast Available at Valentine Hall

7:30am-9am • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID.

All participants

Laptop Rental

8:30am-9am • CISE (Keefe 103)

If you would like to rent a laptop for one week, please do so at this time. Many Pre-O sessions will require you to bring a laptop. Please be sure to purchase your own within the first week of your time at Amherst. If you have questions about how to do so, reach out to your ISL or a professional staff member. Alternatively, you can contact IT for short-term computer loans at askit@amherst.edu or by phone 413-542-2526

All participants (as needed)

Course Registration

8:45am-5:30pm

Please follow instructions from Dean Vigil to complete your course registration. If your registration time conflicts with a scheduled activity on this day, please prioritize your course registration. Please visit CISE (Keefe 103) if you have any questions or need support during this window of time.

All participants

Official Welcome

9am-10am • Friedmann Room, Keefe Campus Center

Let's kick off the first official day of New International Student Pre-Orientation! You’ll have an opportunity to meet the Pre-Orientation staff, get to know your ISLs & cohort, and learn about what you can expect for the weeks ahead!

All participants

Set up Banking & Cell Phones + Local Shopping

10am - 5pm

If you would like to set up a bank and/or cell phone account or do some shopping at our local mall, you may use this time to do so. You can sign up (link provided in newsletter) to visit the Bank of America in downtown Amherst, and/or venture out to Hampshire Mall to find a local cell phone provider and shops to purchase essentials for your room. One set of round trip bus tickets provided.

All participants

Yard Sale

10am-2pm • Orr Rink

The Office of Sustainability collected donations from students and is now having a FREE yard sale for new students! You can find a variety of items, from lamps, fans, vacuums, mugs, cutlery, bed covers, furniture, and even decorations! Please be mindful and only take what you need, and coordinate with your roommates about items you wouldn't need two of. Winter clothes will be available for free on September 13th, from 8am-5pm.

All participants

Lunch Available at Valentine Hall

12pm-1pm • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID.

All participants

First Cohort Check in

5:00pm-6:00pm • Keefe Campus Center

Check-in with your ISLs! Share concerns, questions, and suggestions with the International Student Leaders while building stronger connections with your peers. Make sure to find your cohort circle in the First Year Quad.

All participants

Dinner and Meet & Greet

6:00pm-8pm • Friedmann Room, Keefe Campus Center

Enjoy a catered meal from The Halal Cart—an Amherst College international students’ favorite! You will also meet Dean of Students Angie Tissi-Gassoway and First Year Class Dean Kiara Vigil. Afterwards, you’ll have a chance to relax or hang out with your cohort.

All participants

Saturday, August 26th

Breakfast at Valentine Hall

7:30am-9am • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID.

All participants

Morning check-in with your cohort

9am-9:45 am • Homerooms - they are the same each day!

Check-in with your ISLs! Share concerns, questions, and suggestions with the International Student Leaders while building stronger connections with your peers! Cohort room assignments:

• Team Harpy - Science Center, A013
• Team Balrog - Science Center, E212
• Team Mermaid - Science Center, C101
• Team Pegapires - Science Center, D103
• Team Sandman - Science Center, E108
• Team Phoenix - Science Center, E208
• Team Dragons - Science Center, E210
• Team Hippogriffs - Science Center, A019

All participants

F-1 and J-1 Student Visas: a Status Maintenance Overview

9:45am-10:45am • Lipton Hall

This session will walk you through the dos and don'ts of F-1 and J-1 status, from federal rules to travel tips and employment permissions (including how to apply for a Social Security Number). Bring your questions! *This session is mandatory for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders; citizens, permanent residents, and others need not attend.

F-1 & J-1 participants

Cultural Transitions I: Culture Shock and Adjustment (Group A) // Community Building Activities (Group B)

11:00am-12:10pm • Cultural Transitions I: Science Center E212 / Community Building Activities: Science Center E208

Group A: Team Harpy, Team Balrog, Team Mermaid, Team Pegapires      
Group B: Team Sandman, Team Phoenix, Team Dragons, Team Hippogriffs

Group A will go to Cultural Transitions I to have conversations with Ruina Tu, a Counseling Center staff member, about the stages of cultural adjustment and wellness resources available on campus. Group B will participate in community building activities, enjoying a series of competitive games designed to help you get to know each other.

All participants

Lunch Available at Valentine Hall

12:10pm-1:10pm • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID.

All participants

Cultural Transitions I: Culture Shock and Adjustment (Group B) // Community Building Activities (Group A)

1:10pm-2:20pm • Cultural Transitions I: Science Center E212 / Community Building Activities: Science Center E208

Group A: Team Harpy, Team Balrog, Team Mermaid, Team Pegapires      
Group B: Team Sandman, Team Phoenix, Team Dragons, Team Hippogriffs

Group A will go to Cultural Transitions I to have conversations with Ruina Tu, a Counseling Center staff member, about the stages of cultural adjustment and wellness resources available on campus. Group B will participate in community building activities, enjoying a series of competitive games designed to help you get to know each other.

All participants

Afternoon Activities/Self-Care Time

2:30pm-6:00pm • Various

Your ISLs have prepared a menu of optional excursions for you if you'd like something to explore somewhere new. But really, these hours are for your enjoyment! You can sign up for an excursion, lounge around campus, make another shopping trip, or take care of yourself however you see fit.

All participants

Dinner Available at Valentine Hall

5:00pm-7pm • Valentine Hall

Valentine Hall is open! Come have dinner with other students, but don't forget to bring your ID!

All participants 

ISL Night Activities

8pm-10pm • MRC (Keefe 112) and CISE (Keefe 103)

Your ISLs have prepared some optional night activities for you. Choose between karaoke (MRC), a vast collection of board games (CISE), or Nintendo Switch video games (CISE)! No need to sign up, just drop by anytime and join your ISLs and other students.

All participants 

Sunday, August 27th

Breakfast at Valentine Hall

7:30am-9am • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID.

All participants

Morning check-in with your cohort

9am-9:45 am • Homerooms - they are the same each day!

Check-in with your ISLs! Share concerns, questions, and suggestions with the International Student Leaders while building stronger connections with your peers! Cohort room assignments:

• Team Harpy - Science Center, A013
• Team Balrog - Science Center, E212
• Team Mermaid - Science Center, C101
• Team Pegapires - Science Center, D103
• Team Sandman - Science Center, E108
• Team Phoenix - Science Center, E208
• Team Dragons - Science Center, E210
• Team Hippogriffs - Science Center, A019

All participants

Foreign National Information System

9:45am-11am • Lipton Hall

International students must annually update their immigration information in the Foreign National Information System (FNIS) website. This database will help Amherst College to determine your tax status/treaty eligibility and will be used to generate end-of-the-year forms needed for you to file your annual Federal Tax return. Instructions and assistance for the process will be provided. If you have your own laptop or other device and are able to bring it to this session, please do so. A limited number of computers will be available for use. Be sure to bring your passport/visa, I-20/DS-2019, and I-94 to this session.

F-1 & J-1 participants

Group A - Cultural Transitions 2: Sexual Respect and AOD // Group B - Cultural Transitions 3: Exploring Identities

11:15am-12:30pm • Cultural Transitions II: Science Center E212 / Cultural Transitions III: Science Center E208

Group A: Team Harpy, Team Balrog, Team Mermaid, Team Pegapires      
Group B: Team Sandman, Team Phoenix, Team Dragons, Team Hippogriffs

Just like the day before, the group will be divided into A and B. During Cultural Transitions 2, Amherst's Wellbeing Educators, Taya Westfield and Claire Dutton, will lead a group discussion to explore each international student's understanding of relationships, intimacy, and substances, and how these unique perspectives can map onto Amherst College's campus culture. In Cultural Transitions 3, Jane Kungu from the Multicultural Resource Center and Haram Hwang from CISE will help you reflect on the personal and social identities you may hold as now "international students", and prepare you to engage with these identities in the context of Amherst College and the U. S.

All participants

Lunch Available at Valentine Hall

12:30pm-1:30pm • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID.

All participants

Group B - Cultural Transitions 2: Sexual Respect and AOD // Group A - Cultural Transitions 3: Exploring Identities

1:30pm-2:45pm • Cultural Transitions II: Science Center E212 / Cultural Transitions III: Science Center E208

Group A: Team Harpy, Team Balrog, Team Mermaid, Team Pegapires      
Group B: Team Sandman, Team Phoenix, Team Dragons, Team Hippogriffs

During Cultural Transitions 2, Amherst's Wellbeing Educators, Taya Westfield and Claire Dutton, will lead a group discussion to explore each international student's understanding of relationships, intimacy, and substances, and how these unique perspectives can map onto Amherst College's campus culture. In Cultural Transitions 3, Jane Kungu from the Multicultural Resource Center and Haram Hwang from CISE will help you reflect on the personal and social identities you may hold as now "international students", and prepare you to engage with these identities in the context of Amherst College and the U. S.

All participants

Afternoon Activities/Self-Care Time

3:00pm-6:00pm • Various

Your ISLs have prepared a menu of optional excursions for you if you'd like something to explore somewhere new. But really, these hours are for your enjoyment! You can sign up for an excursion, lounge around campus, make another shopping trip, or take care of yourself however you see fit.

All participants

How Amherst Works

6:00pm-7:30pm • Valentine Hall, Lewis Sebring Wing

Listen to ISL panelists talk about their academic and social experiences at Amherst College while enjoying dinner. Pick up your dinner from Valentine Hall and walk over to Lewis Sebring. This is a great opportunity to ask upperclassmen questions and learn more about their experiences as international students. You will be given a form to submit anonymous questions.

All participants

Monday, August 28th

Health Center Check-in

See time slots

Students who receive a message from health services due to outstanding requirements can call ahead to schedule a visit during the below time slots. You can call them at 413-542-2267.

• August 24: 10am-12pm, 2pm-4:30pm   
• August 26: 9am-12pm, 1pm-2:30pm

Required Participants only

Breakfast at Valentine Hall

7:30am-9am • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID. Feel free to rest & relax until the first session.

All participants

Financial Aid & On-Campus Employment

9:45am-11am • Lipton Hall

Members of the Financial Aid and Student Employment teams will provide an overview of financial aid matters particular to international students and provide information on campus employment.

All participants

On-Campus Employment: Hiring and Onboarding Process

11:15am-12:30pm • Lipton Hall

As participants in Pre-O, each of you have been hired by the Office of Immigration Services on a short-term basis.  At this session, you will complete your required hiring and onboarding tasks with the help of the Student Employment team: complete the I-9, W-4 and M-4 forms; and set-up Direct Deposit for payroll.  F-1s/J-1s: please bring your passport, visa, and I-94 record.  If you are not an F-1/J-1 visa-holder, reach out to the OIS for information about what documents to bring.

All participants

Lunch Available at Valentine Hall

12:30pm-1:30pm • Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID.

All participants

Academic Panel

1:30pm-2:45pm • Lipton Hall

Come learn the academic resources offered at Amherst and how to use them to succeed in class! You will hear from Emily Tareila from the Loeb Career Center, Lydia Peterson from the Writing Center, Professor Matteo Riondato from the Computer Science Department, and Professor Carol Bailey from the Black Studies department.

All participants

Reflection/Evaluation

3:00pm-4:00pm • Lipton Hall

Gather in your cohorts one last time to spend time thinking back on the last few days. This is your time to share honest feedback about Pre-Orientation and reflect on your thoughts and feelings as you head off into New Student Orientation.

All participants

Closing & Group Photo

4:00pm-5:00pm • Lipton Hall

Let's capture the moment to celebrate the days well spent!

All participants

BBQ At the President's House

5:30pm-7:00pm • The President's House

Join us for a closing meal, hosted by the President Michael Elliott, to celebrate the completion of Pre-O and welcome you to your next chapters at Amherst: Orientation and beyond. Welcome to the Herd!

All participants

Tuesday, August 29th

Breakfast at Valentine Hall

Valentine Hall

Be sure to bring your student ID with you.

All participants

Optional: Last Minute Banking, Cell Phones/Local Shopping, Health Center Check-in

9am-12pm • Various locations

If you would like to set up a bank and/or cell phone account or do some shopping at our local mall, you may use this time to do so. You can walk into downtown Amherst to set up your bank account, or take PVTA to go to a local cell phone provider and shops.

All participants

Health Center Check In

9am-12pm / 1pm-4pm • Keefe Health Center

If you have any outstanding requirements with the Health Center, please complete these at the earliest opportunity.

Required participants

First-Year Orientation Welcome Barbecue

11:30am-1pm • Valentine Quad

Join the rest of your new classmates for the start of First-Year Orientation, which kicks off with a barbecue. Please see your First-Year Orientation schedule for full details.

All New Students