Orientation Information

Congratulations on your admission to Ohio University! We look forward to welcoming you as you start your journey as a Bobcat. Please look over the following information for details about arrivals and orientation. If you have any questions, please email us at iso@ohio.edu. 

Orientation | Pre-Orientation Modules | Transportation | Housing | Immigration Check-In | Immigration Documents | What Next

Orientation

Schedule

ISO Spring Orientation Schedule

Event Details

Pre-Arrival Session Videos and PowerPoints

November 18, 2024 - Cost of Living/Finding Housing in Athens, Ohio 

November 22, 2024 - Graduate Assistantships - The Ins and Outs

November 25, 2024 - Medical Care in the U.S. 

Transportation

Getting to the State of Ohio

Your final flight destination should be to John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. The airport code is CMH. Learn more about John Glenn International Airport.

Getting to Ohio University

You can travel to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, with GoBus, a public bus service that offers three daily trips to the Ohio University campus. Please carefully read the bus schedule to confirm that a GoBus departure from John Glenn International Airport is available close to your expected arrival time. You may be unable to pre-book depending on the type of bank or credit card you have. If you are unable to pre-book, please plan on paying with U.S. currency and you may need exact change. Please note that you should plan to debark from the GoBus at the Baker University Center stop. If your arrival is after the last GoBus trip for the day, you should plan for a hotel stay in Columbus, Ohio for the night. There are taxis and a university shuttle as travel options, however those may cost in excess of $120 per trip. If you are staying off-campus, you may need to call a taxi to take you from the GoBus Baker University Center bus stop to your final destination. If you or your family is driving to the Ohio University campus, please see our driving directions. 

Housing

As a student at Ohio University, there are two options for housing: on-campus housing or off-campus housing. On-campus housing is required for incoming first and second year undergraduate students. Third- and fourth-year undergraduates and graduate students will likely live off-campus. 

On-campus housing is also referred to as residence halls. Residence halls are a great place to make new friends. OHIO's residence halls are furnished with basic amenities which include a bed, desk, chair, and closet. Students will share rooms, bathrooms, and public spaces in residence halls. Most dorms are co-ed, meaning that both men and women will live in the same building.

For students living off-campus, we recommend that you begin looking for housing before your arrival in Athens. To begin researching your options, view our off-campus housing web page or check out our Off-Campus Housing Map. If you have any questions about off-campus housing, please contact us at iso@ohio.edu.

Temporary Housing

For temporary housing, you may wish to reserve a room in an Athens hotel. (ISSS does not endorse any hotel listed in the table.)

Immigration Check-in

The Immigration Check-in should only be completed by students who are physically inside of the U.S. Once you have entered the country, please log into iCats.ohio.edu. Click on "International Office" on the left hand menu and then click on the "Confirm Arrival, Spring 2025" eform. In order to complete this eform you will need to have the following items available:

• The date you entered the U.S.
• An email and phone number for your emergency contact person
• A copy of your passport ID page
• A copy of your visa stamp (unless you are a citizen of Canada)

This step must be completed before International Student and Scholar Services can report your arrival to the U.S. Government

Still Awaiting your Immigration Documents?

Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) students who have not yet received their I-20 or DS-2019 will need to contact OPIE admissions at 740-593-4575 or opie@ohio.edu.

Undergraduate Students who have not yet received their I-20 or DS-2019 will need to contact undergraduate admissions at 740-593-4100 or admissions@ohio.edu.

Graduate Students who have not yet received their I-20 or DS-2019 will need to contact graduate admissions at 740-593-2800 or graduate@ohio.edu.

Please complete all missing paperwork prior to arriving at Ohio University.

Not Sure What To Do Next?

Undergraduate Students - For a step-by-step guide to completing necessary information to prepare for your arrival, please visit Undergraduate Admissions. You will find the information on activating your OHIO ID and email, housing, health insurance, and more here.

Graduate Students - For more information on what it is like to study at Ohio University as an international graduate student, please visit Graduate College.