INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT
ORIENTATION
Fall 2023 Orientation Handbook
Welcome
to
University
of
Georgia!
Greetings from International Student Life!
On behalf of the University of Georgia, we would like to extend a warm welcome to UGA,
Athens, and the United States! We hope that you will find this information helpful as you
prepare to enter UGA this fall semester. In this handbook, you will be able to find
information about the following topics:
·
Frequently Asked Questions about International Student Orientation
·
Registering for International Student Orientation
·
Temporary Orientation Housing
·
Permanent Housing Advice & Tips
·
Arriving to Athens
·
Transportation during Orientation
·
University Contact Information
·
International Student Resources
·
AlcoholEDU & Haven – Required
·
Immunizations
·
Cell Phones & Bank Accounts
·
International Student Life Student Organizations
We are busily working to prepare this year’s orientation program to welcome you and the
incoming class of international students to the University. Throughout the week of
orientation, you can expect to have the chance to tour campus, meet other campus offices
that can assist you with your transition, as well as interact with other students from around
the world beginning their educational journey at the University of Georgia. Our office has a
specially-trained group of students known as World Leaders, who serve as orientation
leaders for the international student orientation program. You can expect to hear from your
World Leaders via email during the summer, once you have registered for orientation.
As you begin to prepare for your arrival to the University, we encourage you to please keep in
touch and let us know if you have any questions. We are here for you! Our office is open
Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM Eastern Standard Time. We can be reached via email
at isl@uga.edu, via phone at +1 706-542-5867, or online at isl.uga.edu.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus this fall and wish you safe travels as you begin
your journey to Athens. Go Dawgs!
All the best,
ISL Staff
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is International Student Orientation?
International Student Orientation is a
multi-day orientation program designed
exclusively for new international students at
the University of Georgia. Through
interactive sessions, social activities,
resource fairs, campus tours, and a group of
student volunteers known as World
Leaders, International Student Life
introduces you to UGA, Athens, and the
United States. We strongly recommend that
all incoming new or transfer international
students attend this program, even if you
have studied in the United States previously.
When is International Student Orientation?
International Student Orientation is
Monday, August 7 - Friday, August 11.
Early arrival housing on Sunday, August 6 is
available for an additional cost.
How can I get updated information about
Orientation?
Visit our website at isl.uga.edu/orientation,
email [email protected]du, and be on the lookout
for messages coming from ISL throughout
the summer.
Why should I attend International Student Orientation?
KNOWLEDGE: By the time you complete the four-day international student orientation program, you
will be equipped with helpful information and resources to prepare you for success at UGA and in the
United States. You will learn about all sorts of topics related to being a UGA student, life in the United
States, and how to succeed as an international student. From immigration & visa policies to buying a car in
the USA, social security to health insurance, cultural and academic differences, how to register for classes,
UGA sports, and transportation and shopping in Athens, you will be equipped with all of the knowledge
necessary to have a successful transition to Athens.
SUCCESS: Attending International Student Orientation gives you the opportunity to adjust to the time,
cultural, and academic differences with a group of other students encountering the same adjustment –
which will make you more successful during your time at UGA!
RELATIONSHIPS: During International Student Orientation, you will have many opportunities to meet
new friends and build relationships with your peers. The World Leaders volunteer for the entire week to
make sure you feel welcome, comfortable, and confident as you transition to UGA. They will remain
resources and friends to you throughout your time at UGA!
FUN: ISL and the World Leaders spend the summer planning lots of exciting events for you so that you
can relax, have fun, and make new friends. Some social events in the past have included World Leader
game night, an evening game of soccer, a downtown adventure, and an ice-cream social.
Registration for International Student
Orientation
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration
Deadline
Undergraduate
Students
Graduate
Students
Exchange
Students
Early
Registration
By
May 31
Registration
By June 30
Late
Registration
After July
1
$399 $199 $449
Early + $26 Early + $26 Early + $26
Early + $66 Early + $66 Early + $66
The figures above account for registration + housing for Undergraduate and Exchange students.
Graduate students can add on housing for an additional fee of $250
Your registration fee covers everything listed below for all students:
Lunches and dinners from Monday, August 7 through Thursday, August
10
Orientation materials and supplies
Orientation t-shirt
Transportation during orientation
Social events and activities during orientation to help you meet other incoming
international students and the World Leaders
Staying in Orientation Housing:
Students living in
University Village
in fall 2023 will move into their permanent space at
the beginning of orientation.
Students in other UGA housing (not UV) OR students who need temporary
accommodation will be assigned a shared room at the Holiday Inn Express, conveniently
located downtown and close to campus at 513 W Broad Street. Undergraduate and
Exchange students are required to stay in orientation housing. Graduate students who
registered for orientation housing will be assigned space on a first come, first serve basis.
Advantages of staying in Orientation Housing also include:
The safety and security of check-in at any time and direct drop-off from the Groome
shuttle upon arrival from the Atlanta Airport.
(*students must book their own shuttle
service).
The ability to build new friendships with fellow orientation participants and current UGA
students serving as your orientation leaders (World Leaders)
Breakfast from Tuesday, August 8 to Friday, August 11. Breakfast meals are only available to
students staying in Orientation housing.
Transportation of you and your luggage to your on-campus permanent housing assignment
Further Information
Students staying in the Holiday Inn Express are responsible for any damages or purchases made to the individual
room.
Are you a graduate student interested in staying in orientation housing?
This option is available for you! Please add $250 to the registration cost listed above to stay in
Orientation Housing. You will have the option to register for Orientation Housing in the registration
form below. Should you choose to stay in Orientation Housing, all of the above conveniences will
be available during orientation.
Early Arrival Housing
For students with travel arrangements bringing them to Athens prior to Monday, August 7,
Orientation Housing is available starting on Saturday, August 5. If you are interested in adding
early housing (available for arrival on August 5 or 6), the cost is $60/ night. You will have the
option to register for early arrival housing in the registration form.
Important Information about
Orientation Housing:
This housing option cannot accommodate spouses, children, or family members – ONLY UGA
students.
Housing in the Holiday Inn Express for Graduate students is available on a first-come, first-
served basis and is not guaranteed.
Extra night August 5-6 is available through Orientation Housing. For students in need of housing the
night of August 11, a special booking link will be provided and can be booked directly by the student.
Students moving into their permanent University Village housing prior to official UGA Move-In on
August 11 will be charged their fees by University Housing
Students assigned to permanent UGA housing (not University Village) for fall 2023, will move in
on Friday, August 11 (official move-in date of UGA Housing).
Permanent Housing Options
Many international students find it difficult to secure off-campus housing from
overseas because oftentimes they would like to see what is available, what is cost
effective, etc. It is our hope that by asking all new international students to come in
early August, you will have more time to explore your housing options before
classes begin.
During orientation, a few apartment complexes will attend the Campus &
Community Resources Fair to provide you more information about off-campus
housing options. Many graduate students live off campus or within University
Village, managed by University Housing, if space available.
For more information about University Village Housing, please visit
housing.uga.edu or email hou[email protected]u.
For off campus housing, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 -
$
1
,
000
or
more per month, depending on the location, amenities, and size of the apartment.
When searching for off campus housing options, the rent cost for the apartment
will likely not include utilities. Required utilities would include water/sewer
service, electricity, water, and possibly gas, depending on your unit. Optional
utilities would include cable television or internet. Make sure when you are
searching for off campus housing options, you ask what if any utilities are included
in the monthly rent payment. Most apartment complexes lease units for a period of
1
2
months, and leases are legally binding documents.
You may wish to research apartments online before you arrive; the following
sources may be helpful.
Apartment Finder - www.apartmentfinder.com/Georgia/Athens-Apartments
Flagpole Magazine, classifieds section - flagpole.com
Red and Black Student Newspaper, classified section - redandblack.com
Apartment List - www.apartmentlist.com/ga/athens#map
At times, private landlords or property owners may reach out to ISL with
vacancies in different apartments or homes in Athens. Feel free to email us at
[email protected] to see if we have any information to pass along.
Your rent payment will be significantly less if you choose to live with a roommate.
Please visit our website here to learn more about selecting and successfully living
with a roommate.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ISL OFF-CAMPUS LIVING GUIDE
ISL has published an off-campus living guide for students who will be searching for
accommodation off-campus. This guide includes a map of common places many
students choose to live, price points, how to inspect a property, the elements of a
lease in the United States, how to set up apartment utilities, how and where to
purchase furniture, and much more. This guide is updated as we receive more
information from off-campus housing providers.
Please note that this guide is not all-inclusive and prices/rates may have changed since the most
recent update. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive guide but will be a great starting point in
your off-campus housing search.
Getting to Athens
When you fly to the United States, the closest airport to Athens is Atlanta Hartsfield-
Jackson International Airport (ATL). Once you arrive in Atlanta, you have several options
to consider for getting to Athens.
Groome Shuttle
MegaBus
Private Car/ Uber/ Lyft
Many students choose to use the
Groome Transportation Shuttle service
to get from Atlanta to Athens. A one-
way ride costs $44 (subject to change)
and depart for Athens multiple times
per day.
To purchase a Groome Shuttle ticket,
please visit their website:
http://athens.groometransportation.co
m
For students who plan on going
directly to orientation after their shuttle
ride, you should indicate your drop-off
point as the ‘Holiday Inn Express.
The MegaBus service offers
affordable bus rides from
Atlanta. MegaBus has
strict restrictions on the
amount of luggage that
passengers can
carry. More
information can be
found
here:
http://us.megabus.com/lugga
ge-allowance.aspx.
For departure locations,
times, and costs, please visit
http://us.megabus.com.
This option is generally not
used by students and ISL
does not recommend it due
to cost.
To take a private car service,
taxi, Uber, or Lyft to Athens,
it could easily cost over
$
1
00
.
Transportation during Orientation
For those staying in Orientation Housing, the Groome Shuttle stop ‘Holiday In Express is
located directly at orientation housing. Transportation during orientation week is included
in the orientation housing fee.
For those not staying in Orientation Housing, ISL offers a pick-up service from various
off- campus locations in Athens for new international students. This service is
offered by ISL at a cost of $25 for the week (Monday- Friday), including a pickup from your
residence in the morning and a ride home at the conclusion of all orientation activities
(2 rides per day).
Pick-up service for fall 2023 will be available beginning Tuesday, August 8. The
registration form for pick-up service will be sent out to those who have registered for
orientation in early July. If you are unable to access this form once it becomes
available, please email isl@uga.edu.
Orientation check-in will be located on campus, and you will receive an email with
instructions for how to find check-in closer to the date. On Monday, August 7, World
Leaders will be available to help you find orientation check-in following your arrival
to campus.
All pick-up arrangements must be made at least TWO WEEKS in advance of the pick-up date.
ISL cannot guarantee pick-up service for individuals who request a reservation with less
than two weeks’ notice. Students will be sent an email confirmation for their Athens
pick-up. Students who register for the pick-up service and who do not notify ISL staff
of changes to their arrival schedules or cancellations in a timely fashion may be
assessed a service fee for
failure to cancel or inform ISL staff of your changes in travel
plans.
University Housing
Housing Assignments Office
International Student Life Graduate Admissions
For
all non-immigration questions For all graduate student admissions
questions
Phone: +1 706 542
1
4
2
1
Email:
housing@uga.edu
Web: housing.uga.edu
Phone: +1 706 543 5867
Email: [email protected]
Web: isl.uga.edu
Phone: +1 706 543 1719
Email: [email protected]
Web: grad.uga.edu
University Health Center
AlcoholEDU/Haven, Immunizations
Immigration Services - Office of
International Education (OIE)
For all immigration questions
Undergraduate Admissions
For undergraduate admissions
questions
Phone: +1 706 542
1162
Web: uhs.uga.edu
Phone: +1 706 542 2900
Email: immigration@uga.edu
Web: international.uga.edu
Phone: +1 706 542 8776
Email:
adm-info@uga.edu
Web: admissions.uga.edu
University
Contact
Information
International Student Resources
ISL is pleased to offer an online library of resources to assist you with your transition to the United States.
Below, you’ll find a list of resources available for you to use and download online at isl.uga.edu/resources.
These resources and topics will be discussed at greater detail during international student orientation.
Academic Honesty
Athena & Registering for Classes
Banking in Athens
Buying a Used Car
Cross-Cultural Adjustment: Culture Shock,
American Customs, Educational
Differences Financial Aid Tips for
International Students Food – Local Stores
& Dining Halls
Getting Around Athens
Getting Connected – Phones and Mail
Georgia Driver’s License – How to
Apply Identity Theft & How to Prevent
It
Immigration Services
Opportunities for Learning English (ESL)
Roommate Tips
Social Security Card Application Information
Student Health Insurance
Studying & Being Academically Successful at
UGA Tax Resources for students classified as
a NON- RESIDENT for tax purposes
Tax Resources for students classified RESIDENT
for tax purposes
UGA Important Phone Numbers
UGA Sports & Sports Culture
Writing a Check in the United
States
associated with college life.
AlcoholEDU, Sexual Assault Prevention,
& Mental Well-Being
As part of our comprehensive health and safety program, UGA REQUIRES each member of the first year
undergraduate class AND incoming transfer students to complete AlcoholEdu, Sexual Assault Prevention, and
Mental Well-Being. Whether you drink or not, AlcoholEdu will empower you to make well-informed
decisions about alcohol and help you better cope with the drinking behavior of your peers. The Sexual
Assault Prevention for Undergraduates program will address the critical issues of sexual assault,
relationship violence and stalking, which impact as many as
1
in 4 college women during their time in
higher education. Mental Well-Being equips undergraduates with essential skills and information to
navigate the stressors and emotional challenges
You MUST complete these three trainings by the following deadlines. More information can be found here:
healthpromotion.uga.edu/alcoholedu/.
Semester Starting At UGA
Fall
2023
Dates Available
TBD
Required Completion Date
TBD
Immunizations
In order to be a UGA student and register for classes, there are certain immunizations that all students
on campus must have. If you are able to obtain these in your home country prior to arriving at UGA,
please bring a copy of your medical records, in English, to confirm your immunization. You can also
obtain these immunizations once you arrive to Athens at the University Health Center. The required
vaccines are listed online with the University Health Center here: uhs.uga.edu/info/immunizations
.
Additionally, you can view the required forms
for incoming students related to the Health Center at
uhs.uga.edu/info/forms.
Cell Phones & Bank Accounts
We know that one of the biggest concerns when you arrive to the USA is how to set up a mobile
phone/SIM Card and a bank account. ISL is happy to provide the opportunity to obtain a SIM card on
Sunday, August 7 as a part of the orientation check-in process. Additionally, you will be able to receive
further information about bank accounts and schedule appointments with a local bank to complete your
bank account application once orientation ends.
International Student Life Student
Organizations
International Student Life advises a collection of student organizations on campus, many of which are
culturally- based. All student organizations are open to any UGA student regardless of cultural
background or affiliation. For more information about ISL student organizations, please visit
isl.uga.edu/international-student- organizations/.
