We're excited to welcome you to the Buckeye family! Explore campus and Columbus, make new friends and prepare for the start of spring 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!
Orientation Week
Date and Time | Event | Meeting Location | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, August 4, 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Enarson Classroom Building | 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 5, Noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Brutus bench | 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 6, 10 a.m. - Nooon | Coffee Trail - Stauf's in Victorian Village | Ohio Union, Brutus bench | 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. Register to attend. |
| Thursday, August 6, 3-4 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 6, 5-7 p.m. | Grad Student Mixer | Ohio Union, Brutus bench | 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 to attend. |
| Friday, August 7, 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Classroom Building | 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. |
| Saturday, August 8, 1-5 p.m. | Ohio State Fair | Ohio Union, Brutus bench | Explore Columbus | Visit one of the nation's largest state fairs, featuring carnival rides, agricultural and wildlife exhibitions, live concerts and other entertainment, and of course delicious fair food! Register to attend. |
| Sunday. August 9, 2-5 p.m. | Exploring Columbus Neighborhoods: German Village | Ohio Union, Brutus bench | Explore Columbus | Join us for a trip to picturesque German Village, one of Columbus's oldest neighborhoods. We will visit the Book Loft, one of the nation's largest independent bookstores, other local businesses and Schiller Park. Please bring money for any purchases. Register to attend. |
| Monday, August 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Classroom Building | Life at OhioState | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
| Tuesday, August 11, Noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Brutus bench | 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. |
| Tuesday, August 11, 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Understanding Academic Integrity | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Academic | Come learn about standards for academic conduct at the university. We will discuss how to properly cite sources and avoid plagiarism, when it is okay to collaborate with fellow students, appropriate use of AI and translation software, among other academic integrity topics. We will also touch on how academic misconduct cases are handled at Ohio State. |
| Wednesday, August 12, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Coffee Trail - Cup-O-Joe Clintonville | Ohio Union, Brutus bench | 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 4 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. Register to attend. |
| Wednesday, August 12, 1-2 p.m. | Campus safety & scam avoidance | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at OhioState | Learn about campus safety, resources, best practices and information on avoiding scams. |
| Thursday, August 13, 9-10 a.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Enarson Classroom Building | Life at OhioState | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
| Thursday, August 13, 10-11 a.m. | Getting Involved at OSU | 311 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at OhioState | Learn about how to get involved on campus and our many different student organizations! |
| Thursday, August 13, 2:30-3:20 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. |
| Thursday, August 13, 4-5 p.m. | Orientation Leader Panel Q&A | 311 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at OhioState | 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 13, 5-7 p.m. | Board Game & 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, and meet other new students as we play board games and card games. Register to attend. |
| Friday, August 14, 10 a.m.-Noon | Exploring Columbus Neighborhoods: Clintonville | Ohio Union, Brutus statue | Explore Columbus | Explore the neighborhood of Clintonville, just north of campus-- we will visit the Whetstone Park of Roses and several local shops. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring money for any purchases you plan to make. Register to attend. |
| Friday, August 14, Noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Brutus 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 14, 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Preparing Effective Papers | 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. |
| Friday, August 14, 6-8 p.m. | Exploring Columbus Neighborhoods - Franklinton Fridays | Ohio Union, Brutus statue | Explore Columbus | Every second Friday of the month, take advantage of this chance to meet your local artists! Visit Franklinton Friday 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. Register to attend. |
| Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | Ohio Union, Brutus statue | Explore Columbus | Join fellow students for a fun day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to! 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 OIA. 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. Register to attend. |
| Sunday, August 16, 1-4 p.m. | Columbus Museum of Art | Ohio Union, Brutus 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. Please note that there is a limited number of seats available. Register to attend. |
| Monday, August 17, 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. |
| Monday, August 17, Noon-1 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Brutus 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 17, 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Enarson Classroom Building | Life at OhioState | Join an Orientation Leader for a tour around Ohio State's campus. Visit popular landmarks and discover what campus has to offer. |
| Monday, August 17, 2-3 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Communicating with Faculty & 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. |
| Monday, August 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Grad Student Mixer | Ohio Union, Brutus 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 to attend. |
| Tuesday, August 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Coffee Trail - Fox in the Snow, 4th St. | Ohio Union, Brutus 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 4 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! Register to attend. |
| Tuesday, August 18, 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Campus Tour | Enarson Classroom Building | 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 18, 4-5 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 OLs will give guidance on a variety of topics, based on personal experience. |
| Tuesday, August 18, 6-9 p.m. | Columbus Clippers baseball game | Ohio Union, Brutus statue | Explore Columbus | Enjoy America's favorite pastime and cheer on our local minor league baseball team, the Columbus Clippers! Tuesday is "dime-a-dog" night, so come enjoy a 10 cent hotdog along with the game against the St. Paul Saints. Game starts at 7:05 p.m. Register to attend. |
| Wednesday, August 19, 10-11 a.m. | Introduction to University Libraries for Graduate Students | Thompson Library, Room 150A/B | 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. |
| Wednesday, August 19, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Group Lunch | Ohio Union, Brutus 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 19, 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Understanding Academic Integrity | 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 19, 3-4:30 p.m. | Coffee Hour with Career Services | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Join Career Services staff and immigration specialists from OIA to learn how the university can support you in your future job search process. Staff will give a short presentation on career services and be ready to answer your questions about how to search for jobs, prepare a resume, prepare for an interview, and how a career search intersects with your options from an immigration perspective. Light refreshments will be served. |
| Wednesday, August 19, 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Enarson Classroom Building | 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 20, 9-10 a.m. | Residence Life Q&A | 160 Enarson Classroom Building | Getting ready to join the Buckeye community? This session is designed for students who plan to live on campus. Housing assignments: Learn everything you need to know about your new home away from home. Move-in tips: Get the best advice on how to make your move-in day smooth and stress-free. Dining services: Discover the delicious dining options available on campus. Leadership and involvement: Find out how you can get involved and make the most of your time at Ohio State. Preparing for the first few weeks: Get insider tips on how to navigate the first few weeks on campus like a pro. | |
| Thursday, August 20, 10-noon | Coffee Trail - One Line, Short North | Ohio Union, Brutus 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 4 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! Register to attend. |
| Thursday, August 20, 1-2 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Keys to Strategic, Confident Test-Taking | 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 |
| Thursday, August 20, 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 20, 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Enarson Classroom Building | 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 20, 3-4 p.m. | Counseling and Consultation Service Workshop | Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | |
| Thursday, August 20, 4-5 p.m. | Academic Workshop: Developing Effective Study Skills: Memory Tools & Reading Strategies | 100 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 |
| Thursday, August 20, 6-8 p.m. | Board Game & 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. Register to attend! |
| Friday, August 21, 10-11 a.m. | Campus Safety & Scam Avoidance | 100 Enarson Classroom Building | Life at Ohio State | Learn about campus safety, resources, best practices and information on avoiding scams. |
| Friday, August 21, 11 a.m.-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 21, 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Campus Tour | Office of International Affairs lobby, Enarson Classroom Building | 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 21, 2-3 p.m. | Student Health Insurance Overview (Session 1) | 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 21, 3-4 p.m. | Student Health Insurance Overview (Session 2) | 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 21, 4-6 p.m. | International Block Party | Office of International Affairs - outside Enarson Classroom Building | 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 22, 10 a.m.-Noon | Family Game & 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! Register to attend. |
| Saturday, August 22, 1-4 p.m. | Festival Latino | Ohio Union, Brutus 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. Register to attend. |
| Sunday, August 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Blacklick Woods Metro Park & Saraga International Grocery | Ohio Union, Brutus statue | Explore Columbus | First we will visit beautiful Blacklick Woods Metro Park, featuring some of Ohio's best preserved woods, fields, swamps, prarieland, and a Canopy Walk, 40 feet above the forest floor. Then we will head to nearby Saraga International Grocery, which offers a wide range of 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 23, 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. |
| Friday, August 28, 5-10 p.m. | Wexner Center for the Arts: Welcome Student Event | Wexner Center for the Arts | Life at Ohio State | The Wexner Center for the Arts is hosting a Welcome Student event with activities, free pizza and a double feature film screening. Drop in anytime between 4:30–7 p.m. for a collage workshop where you'll be guided to create a visual representation of your hopes for the semester, and connect with other students. Free pizza will be served at 6 p.m., and at 7 p.m. you can settle in for the double feature of The LEGO Batman Movie and The Birdcage. |