Graduate Student Orientation Schedule
2024 Orientation Schedule
Updated on: June 19, 2024
Maintaining Your Legal Status: This workshop is MANDATORY for all F and J student visa holders and provides necessary information about your status in the United States. Workshops will be offered several times from Aug. 27 through Sept. 24. You only need to attend one of these workshops -- as they are identical -- for your enrollment hold to be released. See the Orientation schedule below for days and times. The complete list of Maintaining Your Legal Status workshops can be found here. The Maintaining Your Legal Status session slides can be found here.
Some Maintaining Your Legal Status workshops require prior registration: Registration is needed for any of the workshops listed below with embedded hyperlinks. Bechtel staff will only admit registered students to those workshops. Space is limited to the first 80 students that register. All other sessions require no previous registration and will admit students on a first come first served basis. All MLS sessions are capped at 80 students. PLEASE REGISTER FOR ONLY ONE WORKSHOP.
Release of Enrollment Holds: All F and J students are required to bring their Stanford student ID card, passport, I-20 or DS-2019, and a recent print-out or screenshot on a digital device of the I-94 electronic arrival record to one of the Maintaining Your Legal Status workshops in order to have your enrollment hold removed. The hold will be removed during the workshop. Prior to attending this workshop, you must update your SEVIS (U.S.) address and U.S. phone number in Axess. Instructions on how to update your address can be found on the Address Update Bechtel webpage.
Community Advisors: Community Committee for International Students (CCIS) volunteers are available after most Maintaining Your Legal Status workshops. Hear about programs like English in Action, sign up to borrow household items (pots, pans, dishes, etc.) from the Loan Closet, ask general questions about orientation, or learn about local points of interest.
Change of Visa Status: All students should obtain the appropriate entry visa from the U.S. consulate located in their home country. If you are already present in the U.S. on a different visa type and need to change to F-1 or J-1, we strongly recommend that you do this through travel and re-entry as it is the fastest way to get the required visa status. More information about changing your visa status can be found here.
F-1 Students Who Attended Other U.S. Schools: All F-1 transfer students must complete the check-in process within 15 days of the program start date. This is done by updating in Axess your SEVIS (U.S.) address and U.S. phone number and attending a Maintaining Your Legal Status workshop with your Stanford student ID card, passport, I-20, and a recent print-out or screen shot on a digital device of the I-94 electronic arrival record. After these requirements have been met you will receive the Transfer Completed I-20.
Social Security Number (SSN) and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Information: Sessions will be offered during the Orientation to discuss applying for an SSN or ITIN. You’ll most likely need one of these.
Bus Trips and Tours: There are two identical bus trips to Henry Cowell Redwoods on Sunday, Sept. 15 and Sunday Sept. 22, and a bus tour of the Berkeley-Bay Area on Saturday, Sept. 21. Tickets are $50 per person and includes snacks/drinks on the bus and a box lunch. Tickets for the Sept. 15 Henry Cowell Redwoods trip and the Sept. 21 Berkeley-Bay Area tour will be sold at the Bechtel International Center starting on Monday, Sept. 9 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets for the Sept. 22 Henry Cowell Redwoods trip will be sold at the Bechtel International Center starting on Monday, Sept. 16 also from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Credit/Debit card or digital payments only. Space is limited and tickets sell quickly. NOTE: No children will be allowed on this trip. Tickets are limited to new Stanford students and scholars only.
Dinners at the Bechtel International Center: Please join us on three different nights for dinner. See the Orientation schedule for details. Tickets are $15 and include food and a non-alcoholic beverage. Tickets will be sold at the Bechtel International Center beginning Monday, Sept. 9 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Credit/Debit card or digital payment only. Space is limited! Wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks will be for sale during the dinners (two drinks for $5, cash only). The S’mores social event on Tuesday, Sept. 17 is free but requires registration. Please see the schedule below for details.
Special Information and Events for Couples and Families: The Bechtel International Center offers a variety of special programs, classes, and assistance for spouses and partners. For more information attend the International Spouse Coffees (Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Bechtel International Center), and visit Programs for International Spouses and Families.
Social Events and Programs: Studying hard or playing hard? Why not both? The Bechtel International Center offers a variety of social programs throughout the year like trips to Wine Country, holiday celebrations, international karaoke nights, puppy therapeutic parties, and much more. Subscribe to the newsletter or follow @bechtelprograms on Instagram.
Graduate Student Information Center (GSIC): The GSIC assists new and continuing graduate students with questions about administrative, academic, and student life. The GSIC is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm during the week of Sept. 15. GSIC contact number: (650) 736-7078. For location, schedule of events and services: https://glo.stanford.edu/ngso
Thank you to our orientation sponsors: Stanford Credit Union, campusSIMS, Flywire, and Charlie Porter Insurance Agency of Menlo Park
All events are held at the Bechtel International Center, unless otherwise noted. Spouses and families of students are cordially invited to all activities.
Monday, September 9
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status *Must reserve a seat to attend |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Student Services Center and Student Financial Services (also on Sept. 16): Student Services Center and Student Financial Services representatives explain important enrollment deadlines, full-time student enrollment requirements, enrolling in correct class sections, and how to withdraw/drop courses. Other topics discussed are: Understanding and paying University bills; who to ask questions about your bills; and third-party contract billing. |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status *Must reserve a seat to attend |
| 3:00-4:00 p.m. | Transplants Taking Root: Skills and Resources for Mental Health and Well-Being at Stanford: A presentation by Well-Being at Stanford and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services). This session is designed to bring awareness to the kinds of issues you are most likely to face as a new student. This interactive session will include exercises and discussions and will focus on typical adjustment phases and self-care. |
| 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
Tuesday, September 10
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status *Must reserve a seat to attend |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Medical Care-Insurance, Entrance Medical Records, Required Inoculations: In this session, representatives from Vaden Health Center (the on-campus student clinic) will discuss health services and how Cardinal Care health insurance works. |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status *Must reserve a seat to attend |
| 2:00-3:00 p.m. | Boba Making social event (until supplies last!) |
| 3:00-4:00 p.m. | Banking in the U.S.A-Options for Managing Your Money (also on Sept. 17): Information about different kinds of bank accounts, credit and debit cards, how to build credit, identity theft prevention, U.S. banking services, and money transfers. Presented by a representative from the Stanford Federal Credit Union (SFCU). |
| 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
Wednesday, September 11
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Culture of the U.S. Classroom (also on Sept. 16): A session about the cultural aspects surrounding student life: What is Stanford’s academic system? What are Stanford’s academic regulations? What is the Honor Code? How can you be successful? A panel of Stanford students and staff will address these and other questions. |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Stanford As We See It Student panel featuring Stanford University international students both past and present. |
| 3:00-4:00 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dinner: Indian food. Sponsored by Charlie Porter Insurance Agency of Menlo Park. Tickets are limited AND must be bought in advance. Purchase tickets online using a QR code posted in the Bechtel International Center starting on Monday, Sept. 9 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. |
Thursday, September 12
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | F-1/J-1 Employment in the U.S. (also on Sept. 19): On/Off-campus employment information. |
| 1:00-1:30 p.m. | Social Security Number (SSN) and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Information (also on Sept. 19) |
| 2:00-3:00 p.m. | Automobiles (also on Sept. 17): A presentation on buying a used car, licensing, and insurance. |
| 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dinner: Chinese food. Tickets are limited AND must be bought in advance. Purchase tickets online using a QR code posted in the Bechtel International Center starting on Monday, Sept. 9 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. |
Friday, September 13
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Living Safely at Stanford (also on Sept. 18): A presentation by Stanford’s Department of Public Safety about laws and customs, contacting police, keeping property safe, personal safety, alcohol rules (DUI), safe hiking, phishing scams, telephone scams, bicycle safety, and a brief talk about earthquake awareness and preparedness. |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Ice Cream Social – Meet and Greet with International Student Advisors |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Dinner: Italian food. Sponsored by Flywire. Tickets are limited AND must be bought in advance. Purchase tickets online using a QR code posted in the Bechtel International Center starting on Monday, Sept. 9 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. |
| 7:00-9:00 p.m. | International Karaoke Night! Sing and share songs from your home country solo, in pairs, or groups. Or sing popular American songs. It’s your turn to star at this fun event! |
Saturday, September 14
| 2:00-4:00 p.m. | “Dish Walk”: Meet new friends and enjoy a Stanford tradition of “Walking the Dish” in the foothills above Stanford. Meet at the Bechtel International Center-Assembly Room. Bring a hat, a bottle of water, and wear good walking shoes. This event is free! |
Sunday, September 15
| 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Join us for a guided trip of this beautiful 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The bus will leave exactly at 9:30 a.m. Please make sure to arrive at the Faculty Club 439 Lagunita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305 (across the street from the Bechtel International Center) by 9:15 a.m. The whole-day trip will cost $50 per person and includes snacks/drinks on the bus and a box lunch. THERE IS LIMITED SPACE, BUY YOUR TICKET EARLY! Tickets can be purchased beginning Sept. 9 at the Bechtel International Center from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. NOTE: No children will be allowed on this trip. Tickets are limited to new Stanford students and scholars only. |
Monday, September 16
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status *Must reserve a seat to attend |
| 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Culture of the U.S. Classroom (also on Sept. 11) |
| 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. | Student Services Center and Student Financial Services (also on Sept. 9) |
| 3:00-4:00 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
Tuesday, September 17
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Banking in the U.S.A-Options for Managing Your Money (also on Sept. 10) |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Automobiles (also on Sept. 12) |
| 4:00-5:00 pm | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 6:00-7:00 p.m. | S'mores Event: Come grab a s'more! At two locations! Join us either at the Lake Lag Fire Pit (across from the Bechtel International Center) or the grill near the Assembly Room to roast some marshmallows and meet fellow international students. A s’more consists of toasted marshmallow over a fire and chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker. Register here to attend this event. |
Wednesday, September 18
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Living Safely at Stanford (also on Sept. 13) |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception (co-sponsored by Stanford Federal Credit Union): Join the festivities! Enjoy great traditional American pizza and meet new friends! Win raffle prizes from the Campus Bike Store, Athletic Department, and more! We will also have information tables set up by student groups and programs for spouses and families. Featuring a special welcome address. Come meet the Bechtel International Center staff and CCIS Community Advisors. Live music by the Bobby Earle Band! |
Thursday, September 19
| 9:00-10:00 a.m. | CATAPULT: CA/TA Panel on University Learning and Teaching In this interactive workshop and panel presentation, you’ll learn tips from experienced international student peers and identify resources to support you in your teaching assistant (TA) or course assistant (CA) assignment, whether you start this year or in the future. CA/TA Panel on University Learning and Teaching doesn’t have to be stressful. Please register to participate in Catapult. |
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | F-1/J-1 Employment in the U.S. (also on Sept. 12) |
| 1:00-1:30 p.m. | Social Security Number (SSN) and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Information(also on Sept. 12) |
| 3:30-5:00 p.m. | President’s Reception: Stanford President, Jonathan Levin will host a welcome reception for new graduate students. Enjoy light refreshments while meeting other new students! Location: Main Quad, 20 Palm Dr. For more details on the reception, visit: https://glo.stanford.edu/ngso |
Friday, September 20
| 8:00 am-12:00 p.m. | Teaching at Stanford-An Orientation for Teaching Assistants: Come learn about the process of becoming a Teaching Assistant (TA) and gain skills on how to be an effective TA. Continental breakfast will be served at 7:30 am. Location: Hewlett Teaching Center-Science and Engineering Quad (Hewlett Building). |
| 12:00-2:00 p.m. | Graduate Orientation and Lunch Information Event (GOALIE): Check out the many student clubs, organizations, and resources available to you. This information fair is offered by the Graduate Life Office (GLO). Free lunch provided. Location: Canfield Courtyard, between the Law School and Meyer Green. |
| 1:00-2:00 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
Saturday, September 21
| 9:00 am-5:00 p.m. | Berkeley-Bay Area Bus Tour: This all-day tour includes a walking tour of the University of California, Berkeley campus, lunch at Berkeley’s International House, followed by a drive across the Bay Bridge, and a visit to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point and Ocean Beach. The bus will leave exactly at 9:00 am. Please make sure to arrive at the Faculty Club 439 Lagunita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305 (across the street from the Bechtel International Center) by 8:45 am. The whole-day trip will cost $50 per person and includes lunch. THERE IS LIMITED SPACE, BUY YOUR TICKET EARLY! Tickets can be purchased beginning Sept. 9 at the Bechtel International Center. NOTE: No children will be allowed on this trip. |
Sunday, September 22
| 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Join us for a guided trip of this beautiful 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The bus will leave exactly at 9:30 a.m. Please make sure to arrive at the Faculty Club 439 Lagunita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305 (across the street from the Bechtel International Center) by 9:15 a.m. The whole-day trip will cost $50 per person and includes snacks/drinks on the bus and a box lunch. THERE IS LIMITED SPACE, BUY YOUR TICKET EARLY! Tickets can be purchased beginning Sept. 16 at the Bechtel International Center. NOTE: No children will be allowed on this trip. Tickets are limited to new Stanford students and scholars only. |
Monday, September 23 - Classes Begin! Have a great first day!
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
Tuesday, September 24
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Maintaining Your Legal Status |
Wednesday, September 25
| 10:30 am-12:00 p.m. | Welcome Coffee for Spouses, Partners, and Families of International Students and Scholars: Join us for our weekly informal gathering! It is an ideal way to meet other spouses and families, to get information about living at Stanford, and to learn about the many options for enriching your stay. Returning spouses speaking many languages will host this event, so fluent English is not necessary to attend. Held every Wednesday from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Bechtel International Center rear courtyard. |