International Student Orientation
Thursday, September 17 - Saturday, September 19, 2020
International Student Orientation is designed to help you feel comfortable in your new surroundings and to adjust to life in the United States and at Caltech. Orientation is for degree-seeking students only. Students' family members are welcome to join us for meals.
All programs will take place in Avery (building 99 on the campus map), unless otherwise indicated on the schedule. Some programs are marked as optional, but all programs are oh so fun!
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM iBegin@Caltech - Registration, Lunch & Resource Fair
1:00 PM Welcome by Ilana Smith, Director of International Offices
1:10 PM Welcome by Laura Flower Kim, Associate Director of ISP
1:30 PM Culture Shock Comedy Sketch
2:00 PM Cultural Adjustment by Dr. Charisma Agonoy Bartlett
2:30 PM Campus Culture by Equity & Title IX
3:00 PM Peer Panels
5:00 PM Dinner
9:00 AM Breakfast
9:45 AM Group Photo (please wear your new ISP t-shirt)
10:00 AM Immigration Dramedy
11:15 AM Navigating the American Classroom by Dr. Jennifer Weaver, CTLO
12:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM Mission Impossible* (game of chase on the L.A. Metro, optional)
7:00 PM International Dessert Night (*required for Mission Impossible participants, but open to all new students)
Bonus day of optional, student-led activities! Sign-Up sheets will be available online and on-site at International Orientation. All Meet Ups begin from Avery Courtyard.
- 10:15 AM Caltech Scavenger Hunt
A wacky journey through campus. Join teams. Meet friends. Explore. This game will help you discover the secrets of Caltech and help you navigate your way around campus.
Take a short walk to peruse the variety of shops and restaurants South Lake Ave has to offer, all while making new friends. A favorite destination is the Delicatessen for ready-made Japanese food like bento boxes, salads, and rice bowls.
Bring your instruments! We have a music studio at Caltech with amplifiers, piano, drums, electric bass, guitar, and microphones you can use for free. Acoustic and electric instruments welcome!
Walk together to historic Old Town Pasadena. Over 200 small specialty shops, over 100 small restaurants, sidewalk cafes, coffee shops, and ice cream shops. Along the way, we will visit the famous City Hall dome and other Pasadena landmarks.
- 6:30 PM Movie
Walk together to the local cinema to watch a movie.
- Grad Student Check-In
- ISP will be available throughout the day for new graduate students who have not yet completed the Immigration Check-In. Bring your passport and I-20 or DS-2019.
ISP, Center for Student Services (building 86)
- ISP will be available throughout the day for new graduate students who have not yet completed the Immigration Check-In. Bring your passport and I-20 or DS-2019.
- Undergrad Student Check-In
- Visit ISP to complete your Immigration Check-In during the first week of classes (after Orientation ends). Bring your passport and I-20 or DS-2019.
ISP, Center for Student Services (building 86)
- Visit ISP to complete your Immigration Check-In during the first week of classes (after Orientation ends). Bring your passport and I-20 or DS-2019.