The International Center is excited to announce a series of in-person Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) events this summer! These events are an excellent opportunity to prepare for your travels to the U.S., meet other new U-M students, and get your questions about U-M answered by current students, alums, and staff.
Summer 2026 PDO hosted sites will be:
- May 24: Shanghai
- May 29: Beijing
- May 31: Mumbai
- June 6: Tokyo
- June 14: Taipei
- June 19: Seoul
Registration: Students are only allowed to register for one event. If you are unable to attend in-person, there is also a virtual PDO option being offered. You can find more information and register for the virtual event here.
Guests: Due to limited space at event locations, undergraduate students are allowed to bring one parent to the event. Graduate students are not permitted to bring any guests.
Unless specified, all events will be conducted in English.
Click on the registration button for specific event details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- If I cannot attend, can a parent/friend come in my place?
No. Due to limited capacity in each hosted city, we request that you do not register if you cannot attend the event yourself. This is a unique networking opportunity for new students, so we want to ensure as many spaces as possible go to incoming students. Students who are unable to attend an in-person event, can join us for the Virtual PDO to get the same information.
- Can I bring more than one parent/guest with me to the event?
Only undergraduate students may bring a guest. Undergraduate students are not allowed more than one guest.
- I am not from the hosted city/country of the PDO, can the IC help me get a visa to enter?
No. Students wishing to attend an event outside of their home country will need to secure their own visas for travel, if necessary.
- Is there a dress code for these events?
There is no dress code for these events. But, attendees may want to keep in mind that rooms will be air conditioned, so bringing a jacket/sweater to cover up indoors may be beneficial.
- Can I attend more than one event?
Due to capacity limitations, students may only register for and attend one event. Given that most events have a waitlist, we do ask that students drop their registration whenever they learn that they can no longer attend.
If you want to switch locations, you will have to drop your original registration in order to register for the new city. Keep in mind this may mean you get waitlisted for the new location.