We're excited to welcome you to the Buckeye family! Explore campus and Columbus, make new friends and prepare for the start of autumn semester with these orientation events.
Don't worry about attending by yourself – these events are intended to help you meet new people!
Make sure to pick up the International Student Orientation Event Passport during your in-person Orientation Session. This passport allows you to track event attendance – the more events you attend, the greater chance you'll have of winning prizes!
Week three
Date and Time | Event | Meeting Location | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, August 17 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Columbus Museum of Art | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | The Columbus Museum of Art has a diverse collection of artwork, including many regions, styles, and time periods. Join fellow students for a free visit to the museum. Registration is required. |
Monday, August 18 10-11 a.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby | Life at Ohio State | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
Monday, August 18 11 a.m.-12 noon | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | This workshop helps students with the most common writing assignments at the undergraduate level, including short and long research papers, essays and response papers. Students will learn about: assignment expectations; how to effectively plan papers; rules regarding plagiarism and citations; writing resources on campus. | |
Monday, August 18 12 noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Join fellow students for a casual lunch near campus to meet new friends and learn about campus life from an orientation leader! Please bring money to purchase your meal. |
Monday, August 18 2-3 p.m. | CCS Workshop (Grad level): Unwind & Thrive: Taking Control of Your Stress | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | This session reviews ways to identify, manage and resources to address stress, academic pressure, professional relationships, and uncertainty as you navigate your adjustment to the United States and The Ohio State University. |
Monday, August 18 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Grad Student Mixer | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Connect with other graduate and professional students at Kafe Kerouac - a coffee shop, bar, and community space near campus. Please note, this event is for graduate and professional students only. Please bring money for any purchases you may wish to make. Register. |
Tuesday, August 19 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Coffee Trail - Fox in the Snow, 4th St. | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join us on the Columbus Coffee Trail where we will visit a local coffee shop committed to quality craftsmanship and education. Join Global Engagement for all four trips on the Columbus Coffee Trail, and you will earn a free Columbus Coffee Trail t-shirt! Visit all 29 locations on your own, and you'll earn a tumbler and a coffee press! Registration is required. |
Tuesday, August 19 1-2 p.m. | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | This session provides international students with tips on how to prepare effectively for tests and exams. Specifically, the session offers guidance on: combating pre-exam stress; planning study sessions that lead to a sense of preparedness; effectively gathering and utilizing feedback from past exams; strategically approaching multiple-choice exams; strategically approaching essay exams; staying calm during exams | |
Tuesday, August 19 2-3 p.m. | COTA Training Workshop | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | How to utilize Columbus's public transportation system. |
Tuesday, August 19 4-5 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby | Life at Ohio State | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
Tuesday, August 19 6:15-9:15 p.m. | Columbus Clippers Baseball Game | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Enjoy America's favorite pastime and cheer on our local baseball team, the Columbus Clippers! Registration is full. |
Wednesday, August 20 10-11 a.m. | Introduction to University Libraries for Undergraduate Students | 150A/B Thompson Library | Academic | Subject Librarians at University Libraries will introduce undergraduate students to library resources, offer guidance on finding research materials and provide a tour of Thompson Library. |
Wednesday, August 20 11 a.m. -12 noon | Academic Workshop: Communicating with Faculty and Instructors | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | This session provides international students with tips on how to communicate effectively with their professors and instructors. Specifically, the session offers guidance on: Asking course-related questions in and outside of class; Discussing ideas with professors/instructors; Discussing academic performance with professors/instructors; Etiquette of writing emails to professors/instructors; Building a relationship with your professor/instructors. |
Wednesday, August 20 12 noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Join fellow students for a casual lunch near campus to meet new friends and learn about campus life from an orientation leader! Please bring money to purchase your meal. |
Wednesday, August 20 2-4 p.m. | Exploring Columbus Neighborhoods - Grandview | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Explore the Grandview Heights neighborhood and learn about what this area has to offer. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring money for any purchases you plan to make. Small groups can explore dinner options as well. Registration is required. |
Wednesday, August 20 4-5 p.m. | 311 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | Staff from the Committee on Academic Misconduct and the Office of International Affairs will provide guidance on academic conduct and misconduct at Ohio State. | |
Wednesday, August 20 6-9 p.m. | Bison Herd Hike - Darby Batelle Park | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join fellow students in discovering one of Columbus' many Metro Parks. Explore hiking trails and see Bison and other wildlife at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Please note that there is a limited number of seats available, and registration is required. |
Thursday, August 21 10 a.m.-12 noon | Coffee Trail - One Line, Short North | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join us on the Columbus Coffee Trail where we will visit a local coffee shop committed to quality craftsmanship and education. Join Global Engagement for all four trips on the Columbus Coffee Trail, and you will earn a free Columbus Coffee Trail t-shirt. Visit all 29 locations on your own, and you'll earn a tumbler and a coffee press! Registration is required. |
Thursday, August 21 12 noon-1 p.m. | Orientation Leader Panel Q&A | 311 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Come ask our student Orientation Leaders anything you want to know about being a student at Ohio State! Four of our Orientation Leaders will give guidance on a variety of topics, based on personal experience. |
Thursday, August 21 1-2 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby | Life at Ohio State | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
Thursday, August 21 2-3 p.m. | Dating 101 | 311 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | What is a beige flag? Who pays on a first date? Are you in a situationship? This session will explore American cultural expectations and language related to dating, consent, and healthy relationships. This is where you can ask all of your questions related to rizz, romance, and red flags. |
Thursday, August 21 3-4 p.m. | CCS Workshop (UG Level): Navigating the Unknown: Tools for Managing Ups and Downs International Students | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | We will be discussing ways to handle difficult situations inside and outside of classroom, such as navigating difficult conversations with your professors and peers, handling heavy workloads, and adjusting to the United States. The goal for this workshop is to provide you with skills to manage stress and uncertainty. |
Thursday, August 21 4-5 p.m. | Introduction to University Libraries for Graduate Students | 150A/B Thompson Library | Academic | Subject Librarians at University Libraries will introduce graduate students to library resources, offer guidance on finding research materials and provide a tour of Thompson Library. |
Thursday, August 21 6-8 p.m. | Board Game and Pizza Night | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Social | Join the Global Engagement team for a fun and competitive game night! Test your wit, compete with strategy, and enjoy a pizza party as we play board games. Registration is required. |
Friday, August 22 10-11 a.m. | Campus Safety and Scam Avoidance | 100 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Learn about campus safety, resources, best practices, and information on avoiding scams. |
Friday, August 22 11 a.m.-12 noon | Academic Workshop: Academic Success in a New Cultural Environment | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | Learn what to expect in an Ohio State classroom and how it may differ from your home country. Staff from the Office of International Affairs will present the key values of U.S. academic culture and how to best adapt. |
Friday, August 22 12 noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Join fellow students for a casual lunch near campus to meet new friends and learn about campus life from an orientation leader! Please bring money to purchase your meal. |
Friday, August 22 1-2 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Building Confidence in Participating in Discussions and Preparing a Presentation | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | This session provides international students with tips on participating in academic discussions and preparing for class presentations. Specifically, the session offers guidance on: Preparing for class discussions; Getting involved in class discussions; Asking and answering questions during class; Useful phrases for academic discussions and presentations; Practicing presentations and using feedback. |
Friday, August 22 2-4 p.m. | Drop-In Q&A Session with Student Health Insurance | 100 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Confused by health insurance? Unsure which doctor you can go to? Wondering if your prescriptions will be covered? Want to know about dental and vision coverage? Stop by this drop-in session with Student Health Insurance staff, to get all your questions answered! |
Friday, August 22 4-6 p.m. | Office of International Affairs - outside | Social | The Council of Graduate Students and the Office of International Affairs are partnering to welcome all incoming international students to Ohio State at an International Block Party on August 22, 4-6 p.m., directly outside of Enarson Classroom Building. All students of all degree levels are invited to join the party for food, ice cream, a free Ohio State t-shirt, and a chance to meet and get a picture with Brutus Buckeye! Staff from various campus offices will also be present to connect with students and answer questions. We can’t wait to see you there for a very special Buckeye welcome! | |
Saturday, August 23 2-4 p.m. | Family Game and Craft Day | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Social | Students with dependents (spouse and/or children) are invited to socialize with other students who are at Ohio State with family. Come and enjoy snacks, games, and crafts for all ages. Registration is required. |
Sunday, August 24 10 a.m.- 12 noon | Shopping at Saraga International Grocery | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join us for a trip to Saraga International, a local international grocery store offering wide global products and ingredients. Please bring money to purchase any items. Please note that there is a limited number of seats available, and registration is required. |
Sunday, August 24 4-6 p.m. | Student Involvement Fair | Oval and South Oval | Life at Ohio State | Meet with members from over 700 student organizations and campus departments who will help you find just the kind of involvement you are looking for at The Ohio State University. |
Week one - August 5-9, 2025
Date and Time | Event | Meeting Location | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday, August 5 10-11 a.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby | Life at Ohio State | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
Wednesday, August 6 12 noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join fellow students for a casual lunch near campus to meet new friends and learn about campus life from an orientation leader! Please bring money to purchase your meal. |
Thursday, August 7 10 a.m.-12 noon | Columbus Coffee Trail - Stauf's in Victorian Village | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join us on the Columbus Coffee Trail where we will visit a local coffee shop committed to quality craftsmanship and education. Join Global Engagement for all four trips on the Columbus Coffee Trail, and you will earn a free Columbus Coffee Trail t-shirt! Visit all 29 locations on your own, and you'll earn a tumbler and a coffee press! Please bring money if you plan to purchase a beverage or treat. Registration is required. |
Thursday, August 7 5-7 p.m. | Graduate Student Mixer | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Connect with other graduate and professional students at Kafe Kerouac - a coffee shop, bar, and community space near campus! Please note, this event is for graduate and professional students only. Please bring money for any purchases you may wish to make. Registration is required. |
Friday, August 8 11 a.m.-12 noon | Academic Workshop: Academic Success in a New Cultural Environment | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | Learn what to expect in an Ohio State classroom and how it may differ from your home country. Staff from the Office of International Affairs will present the key values of U.S. academic culture and how to best adapt. |
Friday, August 8 12 noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Join fellow students for a casual lunch near campus to meet new friends and learn about campus life from an orientation leader! Please bring money to purchase your meal. |
Friday, August 8 3-4 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby | Life at Ohio State | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
Friday, August 8 6-8 p.m. | Exploring Columbus Neighborhoods - Franklinton Fridays | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Every second Friday of the month, take advantage of this chance to meet your local artists. Visit Franklinton Fridays where all of the artist studios in 400 West Rich Street and Chromedge Studios will be open to the public. The Good Market will happen as well, with 50+ vendors showcasing their handmade arts and crafts, as well as vintage clothes, jewelry, and baked goods. There will be multiple food trucks and live musical performances. Come for the art, stay for the community. Please bring money for any purchases you would like to make and registration is required. |
Saturday, August 9 6-10 p.m. | Exploring Columbus Neighborhoods - Book Loft & Play in the Park | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join us for a trip to The Book Loft, one of the nation's largest independent bookstores with 32 rooms! After, we will enjoy "Shane" at Schiller Park, put on by Actors' Theatre of Columbus. Please bring money for any purchases. We recommend bringing a blanket to sit on. Registration is required. |
Week two - August 10-16, 2025
Date and Time | Event | Meeting Location | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, August 10 12 noon-3:30 p.m. | Festival Latino | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Explore ¡Festival Latino! and downtown Columbus to explore and enjoy music, food, fashion, art, and dance from the heart of Latin America and learn more about Latine communities and culture in central Ohio. Registration is required. |
Monday, August 11 10-11 a.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby | Life at Ohio State | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
Tuesday, August 12 12 noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Join fellow students for a casual lunch near campus to meet new friends and learn about campus life from an orientation leader! Please bring money to purchase your meal. |
Wednesday, August 13 10-11 a.m. | So You Think You Can Drive: Safety Tips for Operating a Vehicle in the United States | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Are you interested in becoming a licensed driver in the United States? This session, led by an Ohio State Police Officer, will educate you on the driving rules and regulations for safely operating a vehicle. |
Wednesday, August 13 11 a.m.-12 noon | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | Staff from the Committee on Academic Misconduct and the Office of International Affairs will provide guidance on academic conduct and misconduct at Ohio State. | |
Wednesday, August 13 1-2 p.m. | Campus Safety and Scam Avoidance | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Learn about campus safety, resources, best practices and information on avoiding scams. |
Wednesday, August 13 2-4 p.m. | Coffee Trail - Cup-O-Joe Clintonville | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join us on the Columbus Coffee Trail where we will visit a local coffee shop committed to quality craftsmanship and education. Join Global Engagement for all four trips on the Columbus Coffee Trail, and you will earn a free Columbus Coffee Trail t-shirt! Visit all 29 locations on your own, and you'll earn a tumbler and a coffee press. Please bring money if you plan to purchase a beverage or treat. Registration is required. |
Thursday, August 14 10-11 a.m. | Orientation Leader Panel Q&A | 311 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Come ask our student Orientation Leaders anything you want to know about being a student at Ohio State! Four of our OLs will give guidance on a variety of topics, based on personal experience. |
Thursday, August 14 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby | Life at Ohio State | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
Thursday, August 14 1-2 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Academic Success in a New Cultural Environment | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | Learn what to expect in an Ohio State classroom and how it may differ from your home country. Staff from the Office of International Affairs will present the key values of U.S. academic culture and how to best adapt. |
Thursday, August 14 6-8 p.m. | Board Game and Pizza Night | Enarson Classroom Building | Social | Join the Global Engagement team for a fun and competitive game night! Test your wit, compete with strategy, and enjoy a pizza party as we play board games. Registration is required. |
Friday, August 15 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Join fellow students for a fun day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. From Bornean orangutans to Florida manatees, from okapi to koalas, you'll be able to see wildlife from all over the world! Admission and transportation will be covered by the Office of International Affairs. Please bring money to purchase food or any purchases. This is an outdoor event, so please plan accordingly. Please note that there is a limited number of seats available and registration is required. |
Friday, August 15 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Social | Join fellow students for a casual lunch near campus to meet new friends and learn about campus life from an orientation leader! Please bring money to purchase your meal. |
Friday, August 15 3-4 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Developing Effective Study Skills: Memory Tools & Reading Strategies | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | This workshop teaches international students to: describe different types of memory; identify their sense-related learning style; optimize factors that lead to rote learning; utilize processes that build meaningful learning; attend to overarching factors that affect memory; develop a personal study plan incorporating the components above. |
Saturday, August 16 10 a.m.-12 noon | Exploring Columbus Neighborhoods - Clintonville | Ohio Union, Bronze Brutus Buckeye Statue | Explore Columbus | Explore the Clintonville neighborhood and learn about what this area has to offer, including a stop at a farmer's market! Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring money for any purchases you plan to make |