Welcome to Michigan! The International Center staff is excited to welcome you to campus.
Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of orientation events and resources that will be available to support you as you begin your journey as a new student at the University of Michigan. Events will be held both in-person and virtually this summer. Here is an overview of what will be offered:
- “Ask Me!” peer-led question and answer sessions
- Blogs & videos written by International Summer Orientation Peer Advisors
- A Canvas course with resources, videos, and slides from presentations
- Social events through which you can meet other new international students
- A “Welcome Desk” staffed by International Orientation Peer Advisors to address your general questions (not immigration-related questions)
- Virtual and In-Person presentations on a wide range of topics related to life in Ann Arbor and at the University of Michigan
- Download the International Student Welcome Booklet for a convenient overview of Ann Arbor and U-M resources for getting settled in the U.S.
More details about how to access each of these opportunities can be found below.
“Ask Me!” Q&A Sessions
“Ask Me!” Q&A sessions are informal peer-led question-and-answer sessions in which new international students can ask our Summer Orientation Peer Advisors questions and connect with other new students.
Please note that because this event is led by student staff, we are unable to answer immigration related questions.
Dates:
- Wednesday, August 10
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Ross School of Business; Jeff T. Blau Hall
- Room: B0560 (ground floor)
- Register here!
- Wednesday, August 17
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Ross School of Business; Jeff T. Blau Hall
- Room: B0560 (ground floor)
- Register here!
Blogs & Videos
The Summer Orientation Peer advisors will be writing blog posts and creating short videos to document their personal stories and share useful tips with new students. Content from 2022 will be available in early August!
Canvas Course for new students: International Center Summer Orientation 2022
All incoming international students and scholars are encouraged to join our Canvas course, which will feature slides, resources, and - in many cases - videos from presentations that will be given as part of our virtual workshop series. See below for details about workshops that will be offered during the 2022 Summer Orientation.
Social Events
The International Center will be offering several in-person social events in August, which will be led by Summer Orientation Peer Advisors. Events include informal walking tours of Central and North campuses, hiking in the Arb, a visit to Kerrytown and the Farmer’s Market and more!. Registration is required.
Welcome Desk: In-Person Office Hours
Starting on Monday, August 15, Summer Orientation Peer Advisers will staff an in-person Welcome Desk outside of the International Center in the lobby of the Student Activities Building. Stop by to say hi and get questions about life in Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan answered by fellow international students.
- Week of August 15th:
- Monday - Thursday: 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm
- Friday: 10am-12pm and 1pm-2pm (Ending an hour early so that peer advisors can attend the Ice Cream Social - join us!)
- Week of August 22nd:
- Monday - Thursday: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
- Friday: 9am-12pm
Workshop Presentations (Virtual and In-Person)
Workshops Presented by International Center Summer Orientation Peer Advisors
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Conversations
P2P Conversations connect our Summer Orientation Peer advisors with new international students and offer an opportunity for new students around the world to meet each other.
Through a series of virtual sessions, our Peer advisors will provide information and resources based on their personal experiences and answer questions from new students. Each session starts with a presentation on a specific topic and then is followed by a Q&A.
You may register as many sessions as you are interested in by using either the registration link. Register to view Zoom livestream information and receive a confirmation email. The presentations and recordings will be available in the International Center Summer Orientation Canvas Site after the sessions.
Topics include:
- Cultural Differences in the Classroom
- How to Navigate through Canvas
- Things to do in Ann Arbor
- Housing & Setting Up Household Utilities
- Healthy Relationships & Dating in the U.S.
- Health and Wellness
- Banking and Budgeting
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Buying a Car / Getting a Driver’s License
- Social Justice in the U.S.
- Working & Communicating with Academic Advisors
- Finding a Job on Campus
- Personal Safety
Workshops Presented by other University Departments and Partners
We are also happy to offer a number of workshops offered by staff from departments and organizations on and nearby campus! You may register for as many sessions as you are interested in.
You can also view a full list of these sessions here.