This program of events is designed to introduce you to your overall experience at St. Olaf College. There will be opportunities for you to meet new friends and connect with the people who will support you throughout your academic career. You will discover resources available to enhance your academic and social wellness and learn more about the community in which you will live for the rest of your time at St. Olaf.
THE SCHEDULE BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE FALL 2024 SCHEDULE! It will be shared in person upon your arrival.
Tuesday, August 30: Arrival Day
| Time | Location | Description |
| 10:00am – 10:00pm | Buntrock Commons | Orientation Check-in |
| 10:00am – 5:00pm | Meet in Buntrock Crossroads | Transportation to local Banks
Set up bank accounts and/or exchange currency at local banks. |
| 7:00pm – 9:00pm | The Pause | Welcome Dinner
Stop by anytime for Taco Buffet |
Wednesday, August 31st
| Time | Location | Description | ||||
| 8:00am – 8:30 am | Viking Theater | Welcome & Introductions | ||||
| 8:30am – 9:15am | Stav Hall | Breakfast with your International Student Counselor | ||||
| 9:15am – 9:30am | TBD | Group Photo Please wear your T-shirt | ||||
| 9:30am – 11am | TBD | Campus Tours & Icebreakers | ||||
| 11am – 11:30am | Tomson 280 | Using Technology at St. Olaf College
Heather Malecha and Ezra Plemons, Information Technology |
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| 11:30am –11:45am | Tomson 280 | Campus SafetyDerek Kruse Director of Public Safety | ||||
| 11:45am – 12pm | Tomson 280 | Dean of Students Tim Schroer, First-Year Class Dean | ||||
| 12pm – 1:30pm | Stav Hall | Lunch | ||||
| 1:30pm – 2:15pm | Tomson 280 | Life in the U.S. and on the HillPanel discussion with St. Olaf faculty and staff | ||||
| 2:15pm – 3:15pm | Tomson 280 | Health and Wellness at St. Olaf | ||||
| 3:30pm – 4:30pm | Tomson 280 | Mental and Spiritual Support at St. Olaf | ||||
| 4:30pm-5pm | Tomson 280 | International Oles Tips & Tricks!
International Student Counselors |
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| 5pm-6:30pm | Stav Hall | Dinner | ||||
| 5:30pm – 8:30pm | Meet in Buntrock Crossroads | Shopping at Target for Dorm Room Supplies | ||||
| 9pm-9:30pm | Your Residence Hall | Meet and Greet with your Residence Life StaffRes life staff will knock on doors | ||||
Thursday, September 1st
| Time | Location | Description |
| 8:00am – 8:50am | Stav Hall | Breakfast with your Counselor |
| 9am-10:15am | Viking Theater | Staying in Status: Immigration Regulations for F-1 students
Megan Carmès, Assistant Director for International Student Engagement |
| 10:30am – 11:15am | Viking Theater | Race in the U.S.
Martin Olague, Director of the Taylor Center |
| 11:15pm – 12pm | Viking Theater | Social Identities in the U.S. and on the HillCurrent International Student Panel |
| 12pm – 1:30pm | Stav Hall | Lunch |
| 1:30pm – 2:00pm | Viking Theater | International Oles Tips & Tricks!
International Student Counselors |
| 2pm – 3pm | TBD | St. Olaf Campus Scavenger Hunt |
| 3pm – 3:30pm | Viking Theater | Gender Identity and Sexuality David Gardner, Assistant Director for International Student Programming |
| 3:30pm – 4:15pm | Viking Theater | Title IX
Pamela McDowell, Title IX Coordinator |
| 4:15pm – 5pm | TBD | Campus Life Breakout Session
International Student Counselors |
| 5pm-6pm | Stav Hall | Dinner |
| 7:00pm –8:00pm | Viking Theater | International Student Social Event |
Friday, September 2nd
| Time | Location | Description |
| 8:00am – 8:50am | Stav Hall | Breakfast with your Counselor |
| 9:00am – 10:00am | Tomson 280 | Health Insurance in the U.S.
Megan Carmès, Assistant Director for International Student Engagement |
| 10am-12pm | Tomson 280 | Surviving & Thriving at St. Olaf!
Current International Student Facilitated Discussion by Country/Region & Academic Interests |
| 12pm – 1:30pm | Stav Hall | Lunch |
| 1:30pm – 2pm | Tomson 280 | Financial LiteracySteve Lindley, Director of Financial Aid |
| 2pm – 2:30pm | Tomson 280 | Student Employment Amarin Chanthorn, Employee Engagement & Experience |
| 2:30pm-8pm | Meet in Buntrock Crossroads | Trip to the Twin Cities Walker Sculpture Garden and
Global Market for Dinner |
Saturday, September 3rd
| Time | Location | Description |
| 8:00am – 9:00am | Stav Hall | Breakfast with your International Student Counselor |
| 9am – 10am | Viking Theater | Academic ExpectationsDavid Gardner, Assistant Director for International Student Programming |
| 10:15am- 11:15am | Viking Theater | Cultural AdjustmentMegan Carmès, Assistant Director for International Student Engagement |
| 11:15am- 12pm | Viking Theater | Wrap Up – Transition to New Student Orientation |
Tuesday, September 6th
| Time | Location | Description |
| 11:30am – 1pm | Ballrooms | International Student Lunch
Bring your lunch from the Caf & your roommate! |
Wednesday, September 7th
| Time | Location | Description |
| 7pm – 8pm | Viking Theater | Check-in with your Counselor
Any last questions before classes start? |
A selection of presentations from International Student Orientation will be shared here (Coming Soon!)