Carefully read all of the sections below about preparing for your arrival on-campus. This information will be updated between now and orientation, so please return to this page often to check for updates on our arrival process and orientation instructions.

Arrival Date

All new international students are REQUIRED to attend New International Student Orientation held in the Fall and Spring semesters. 

You should plan to arrive on Wednesday, January 3rd or before to get settled into your housing here in Fargo/at NDSU before orientation. 

When is orientation?

Orientation will be held on Thursday, January 4th, in the Memorial Union Oceti Sakowin Ballroom. Schedule to be announced by mid-December.

Residence Hall Check-In Dates

If you have been assigned a room in one of NDSU's Residence Halls, housing check-in will be held on the following dates/times at the OneStop counter in the Memorial Union.

• Wednesday, January 3rd: 9:00am - 3:00pm
• Thursday, January 4th: 11:00am - 3:00pm

If you have been admitted and have not yet completed an application to live in a campus residence hall or apartment, please apply herenow. 

Classes for the Spring 2024 semester begin on Monday, January 8th, 2024.

Click here for important academic dates and deadlines for the upcoming semester/academic years: Dates & Deadlines

Spring 2024 Arrival Checklist

Click here to download a PDF of our Arrival Checklist. This document includes a link to the required Arrival Reporting survey.

If you will be arriving here this Spring 2024 semester, you will be sent information about our online pre-orientation modules. This content is also required, and it is in addition to the in-person orientation activities on January 4th.

This is to enhance your experience as a new student - it is not a replacement for your attendance in person on January 4th at the required international student orientation.

The modules are not yet ready - we will post an update here with instructions on how to access the modules as soon as the information becomes available.

Students will be provided the opportunity to learn about valuable NDSU resources and offices. Students will also complete required immigration processes during orientation. 

The information we provide to you during this orientation will help you have an easy transition to NDSU, and will help you succeed as a student of NDSU academically, and more specifically as an international student as you learn about the immigration rules you are required to follow during your stay in the United States. For example, employment in the U.S. is a frequent question posed by international students - and the rules for authorization on-campus and off-campus when allowed are quite complicated. We have designed this orientation to include information that new students need. Over the years, we continuously make improvements to provide the most helpful information possible. We all look forward to assisting you during orientation!

Students can arrive at Hector International Airport in Fargo: https://www.fargoairport.com (Airport code: FAR)

You will NOT go through Customs at the Fargo airport upon leaving the plane. You will go through Customs at your first port of entry to the United States. The Fargo airport is not large, so once you depart your plane, the baggage claim is only a minute or two away.

Before you depart for Fargo, please watch the weather forecast to see what the temperature and weather is forecasted to be upon your arrival, and dress appropriately. If you are arriving in the summer or early Fall, the weather can be warm and pleasant, and very hot at times especially during the middle of the summer. Early Fall can also be cool and a light jacket is recommended. But if you are arriving in January, be prepared with a coat/jacket, and hat and gloves if needed, as the weather can be cold and there will likely be snow. A shopping trip is offered each semester during orientation and you can purchase heavier winter clothing during that trip if you would like.

Weather Channel: Current 4-day forecast for Fargo, ND (zip code 58102 for North Fargo)

If you are arriving before your on-campus housing is available, you may need to stay temporarily in a hotel. Some hotels in Fargo offer complimentary shuttles and/or meals. Shuttle services may include drop-off at NDSU, please ask about this service when booking your hotel. View the following websites for information on hotels options:

    http://www.fargomoorhead.org/hotels.html

Every year, the health insurance through UnitedHealthcare StudentResources begins August 16th for Fall entry, January 1st for Spring entry, and mid-May for Summer entry. Payment is due in full by the end of the sixth week of classes.

Click here to download a PDF handout which summarizes why the policy is important and how enrollment in the policy happens for new students.

All students are required to purchase university approved health insurance. Full payment of insurance is due upon registration. If you arrive earlier than the date the mandated health insurance policy is effective, you will be responsible for finding insurance coverage during the gap period before coverage begins. If you have no insurance during that gap and you require medical treatment here in the United States at that time, you will be responsible for any medical charges before the policy begins.

Our website has detailed information about the health insurance policy. Please read everything carefully. More information will be provided at orientation.

Contact our main office at NDSU.International@ndsu.edu or email your assigned international student advisor.

Click here to return to the previous "Next Steps" page.