Students Studying in The United States International Student Orientation

Be sure to check out previous and upcoming webinars for incoming international students here.

For students in Boston, we hope that you will read through our Pre-Arrival Handbook.

Below you will find information about the International Student Orientation that is designed to ease your transition to a new city and to help you learn more your responsibilities as an international student at Northeastern. Your attendance in the OGS International Student Orientation is mandatory and will be recorded in your international student record.   

Asynchronous (Interactive Module) Orientation Course in Homebase: 

• The asynchronous orientation is a course in Homebase which you were automatically added before the first day of classes. Through this course, you can go through each orientation module on your own time. You must complete the orientation before October 1. Failure to complete the orientation before the deadline will result in a hold being placed on your account which will prevent you from registering for classes or having e-forms processed by OGS. 
  
• How to access orientation – on your MyOGS Services Home Page and click on “Check In and Orientation” and under “tasks” click on “Start Orientation”. 

Please note:  

• If you have deferred your program and will not begin your studies at Northeastern this semester, you should wait to attend orientation until you begin your program in the U.S.  
• This orientation is in addition to any orientation from your academic department 

Below you will find information about the International Student Orientation that is designed to ease your transition to a new city and to help you learn more your responsibilities as an international student at Northeastern. Your attendance in the OGS International Student Orientation is mandatory and will be recorded in your international student record.   

Asynchronous (Interactive Module) Orientation Course in Homebase: 

• The asynchronous orientation is a course in Homebase which you were automatically added in late June/early July before the first day of classes. Through this course, you can go through each orientation module on your own time. You must complete the orientation before August 6th. Failure to complete the orientation before the deadline will result in a hold being placed on your account which will prevent you from registering for classes or having e-forms processed by OGS. 
  
• How to access orientation – on your MyOGS Services Home Page and click on “Check In and Orientation” and under “tasks” click on “Start Orientation”. 

Please note:  

• If you have deferred your program and will not begin your studies at Northeastern this semester, you should wait to attend orientation until you begin your program in the U.S.  
• This orientation is in addition to any orientation from your academic department 

OGS provides orientation for new degree-seeking students and non-degree exchange students on J-1 visas. This orientation will provide important information about maintaining your J-1 status during your program here at Northeastern, along with other important logistical information such as taxes, social security numbers, and employment.

Attending J-1 orientation is mandatory for all incoming J-1 exchange visitors as part of maintaining your J-1 non-immigrant status in the U.S. 

• Global Experience Office (GEO) Incoming Exchange Students will receive information about GEO orientation, which includes OGS J-1 student orientation, from GEO directly.
• All other incoming J-1 degree-seeking and exchange students will receive an email from OGS with the link to register for a virtual orientation session near the beginning of the semester.
• If you have any questions about orientation, miss the orientation sessions, or are unable to attend, please submit an inquiry form to OGS.