Written by Raviteja Cherukuri
Congratulations on your admission into the University of California, Irvine!! We understand that you have a wide range of questions. To help you with answers, we invite all incoming international students to the International Graduate Welcome and Orientation. This eases your transition to the university and to the United States. This whole day free event will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the Bren Events Center (see Campus Map for location details). You will be accompanied by your peer mentor for this whole day. This would be a great opportunity to learn about the quarter system that UC Irvine has and get to know many know-hows before you sink your teeth into the academics in the fall quarter.
What to expect:
- A guided campus tour
Campus Tours are led by Campus Representatives, UCI’s official tour guides. These highly trained students will offer a 90-minute guided tour of the campus with information highlighting the campus, academic programs, and student life. You can get these on normal working days as well. For more information, feel free to visit Campus visit
- Overview on the quarter system of UCI and a brief note on curriculum
You can expect a detailed explanation on the number of weeks typically a quarter has, the time by which we can drop/add courses, the time by which you get your transcripts and more information on curriculum.
- Information on diversity at UCI
Many surveys revealed that students perform well when they feel that they belong to this place (Irvine). It is our responsibility to make you feel comfortable and give you a feel that you belong to this place. We at UCI value diversity a lot. You would get a lot of information on this during the orientation day.
- Different services offered by UCI to students
You would get to know details about various academic, personal, health and career assistance services that UC Irvine offers which includes Anteater Recreation Center, Career Center, Counseling Center and the list goes on.
- Various social organizations
There are tens of social organizations on campus. We would try to cover providing details on as many as we can during this orientation
- Employment and Professional development
You would get a very detailed information on when to apply for internships, how to get help in writing a good resume, writing a thesis paper, career development resources that UCI offers and those that are exclusively for grad students.
- Campus resources
You would get some information on how to settle down at your new home in and around Irvine. You would also get some information on counselling resources that UCI offers.
- Academic integrity policies of UCI
UCI gives highest importance to the academic integrity. You would get to know the details of the plagiarism policy of UCI. Your peer mentor would explain you personally some instances that come under Plagiarism.
- Meet and build communities with fellow international students and peer mentors
Since this whole day is a great opportunity for you to meet your new colleagues and friends, you can meet as many new people as you can, build communities and have a good knowledge sharing.
- Lunch and goodies
You wouldn’t require any prior preparation for the day. But, we do recommend you bring a pen and paper to take notes. Comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. You would be emailed your ticket for this event. Please line up according to the first letter of your last name for checking-in when the registration begins. You can easily identify peer mentors with the unique T-shirt they wear. Peer mentors would guide you to the appropriate table inside the events center once you checked in. You would have some time to socialize with the other incoming international students and your peer mentor before the program begins. You can ask your peer mentor any questions that you have. It may be warm outside, but it is cool inside. So, dress in layers. We hope your day ends with some helpful information and new friends!
Once again, Congratulations Anteaters! Welcome to UCI!! We look forward to seeing you at the International Graduate Welcome and Orientation event ☺
Zot! Zot! Zot!