Arrival Information

The Office of International Education is here to assist new international students in making the transition to the University and to the United States.  To best prepare for this transition, we encourage students to read the "About the University" section of this website to learn about higher education in the United States as well as academics, housing, and cultural and social programs at the University of Richmond.  The International Student Handbook is also an excellent resource that provides information about banking, travel, what to bring, and other helpful tips for before and after students arrive at Richmond.

Orientation

All new international students must attend International Student Orientation, which will acquaint them with various aspects of campus life as well as issues specific to international students such as immigration, health insurance, and cultural and academic adjustment. 

Spring 2010 Orientation will be held from Thursday, January 7 through Sunday, January 10.  All students participating in international orientation must complete the arrival form and submit it by December 1.

NOTE: Law and graduate international students are expected to follow the arrival date, orientation schedule, and academic calendar for their programs. Please refer to the information in the acceptance packet from your program. Academic calendars for each school can be found on the Registrar's website.

Athletic, law, and graduate international students are required to attend the health insurance and immigration sessions for international orientation in addition to the orientation meetings for their programs. Other sessions and social activities are optional. Please contact Krittika Onsanit for more information. 

Check-in and Spring 2010 Arrival Dates

The arrival date for new international students coming for the spring 2010 semester is Thursday, January 7.  Spring international orientation will be held from Thursday, January 7 through Sunday, January 10.  New students may not move into University housing before the arrival date.

Housing check-in will take place on the stated arrival date between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Office of Undergraduate Housing in Whitehurst Hall.  International Orientation Advisors (OAs) will meet incoming international students at the baggage claim area of the Richmond International airport. If your flight is delayed, please call 1-804-287-6499 to inform us of your updated arrival time. If you arrive after 5 p.m., we will not be able to pick you up at the airport. You will need to take a taxi to the campus police station, which is open 24 hours, to collect your housing key and orientation materials.  The next morning you should report to Ryland Hall room 215 for orientation registration.

If you are taking a taxi to the campus, please have the driver wait for you as you check-in. Your room may be some distance from the check-in location, and it will be difficult for you to transport your belongings on your own.

Because of limited availability of international flights with Richmond as the final destination, we realize that you may have difficulty booking an international flight that arrives on the stated arrival date. Since it is REQUIRED that all new international students check-in on the stated arrival date (January 7 for spring), you may have to arrive early and spend a few nights in a local hotel. For a listing of hotels near the campus or the airport, click here. 

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