Yale University
Office of International Students & Scholars
Office of International
Students & Scholars
International Center
421 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06511
USA
Phone: 203.432.2305
Fax: 203.432.7166
email: oiss@yale.edu
Orientation for Yale College
International Students
Monday, August 24 through Thursday, August 27
Congratulations on your admissions to Yale. We look forward to welcoming you to Yale and introducing you to your new community. This web site will answer some of your questions about this orientation program for Yale College’s new international students.
What is OIS?
OIS, one of the pre-orientation programs sponsored for new Yale College students, is a four-day program designed to introduce new international students to Yale and to the city of New Haven. Organized and run by Yale College international students and Yale’s Office of International Students and Scholars, OIS will include discussions about academic life, social life and cultural adjustment. Students will go on campus and community tours, shopping excursions and have free time to take care of personal business such as setting up a bank account. The program also includes many recreational activities including picnics, soccer games, movies and time to hang out with new friends.
Who attends OIS?
All new Yale College international students are invited to attend OIS. The experiences of Yale’s incoming international students are enormously varied. Some of you are very familiar with the U.S. educational system and in fact have studied in the U.S. For others of you, this will be your first trip to the United States. While OIS is designed for those students who have the least familiarity with the U.S. educational system, the program provides an introduction to the Yale experience for all new international students, as well as the opportunity to meet and become acquainted with one another.
What are the dates of the program?
The program officially begins at 4 p.m. on Monday, August 24th and ends on Thrusday, August 27th. The Freshman Orientation Program begins Friday, August 28th.
When should I plan to arrive at Yale?
OIS begins Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. with a welcome from Dean Miller. While we prefer participants to arrive on Monday, we do understand that because of flight arrangements it may be necessary for some of you to arrive on Sunday. If that is the case, we will make your OIS room available to you on Sunday evening. OIS participants will be receiving an email with instructions regarding early arrival
How do I register for the program?
You will need to register on the Yale College Freshman Web site. The official registration deadline is June 22nd. Registrations received after that date will be accepted, but planning for the event will be easier if we know by the 22nd.
What is the cost of the program?
The cost of the orientation program is $200, which includes housing and all meals. This fee will be added to your financial account after the completion of the program. A fee-waiver will automatically be granted to any student on financial aid.
What is the program really like?
To get the real scoop on OIS, you can email the OIS 2009 Counselors – Yale College upperclass men and women who participated in OIS as first year students. They have all agreed to answer your questions so you should feel free to email them over the summer.
My parents are coming with me to Yale. What can they do while I attend this program?
The OIS program is designed primarily for students except for the welcome event at 4 p.m. on Monday, August 24th. Parents and other family members are encouraged to attend the opening event and join us for light refreshments. Your student will then go off to dinner with the program participants. Parents and other accompanying family or friends are invited to a reception at the International Center as their students go off to start the program. This informal gathering is designed to give parents a chance to ask questions, see our International Center and to learn the range of services that will be available to your international student during their time at Yale. The rest of the program is for the students. Parents who plan to accompany their children to New Haven should be aware that OIS participants will be fully occupied during the day and evening. We will provide parents with information about activities and sightseeing in the New Haven area, but parents should note that there are no scheduled activities for parents until Friday, August 28th when Freshman Orientation begins. To learn more about New Haven, visit www.newhavenweb.com.
Where can my parents stay overnight in New Haven?
Hotels in New Haven which are walking distance from campus are listed below. Book as early as possible as availability may be limited
- The Courtyard by Marriott, 30 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511 (203)-777-6221 They are offering special rate of $144 for the OIS group on August 22nd and 23rd for those who reserve by July 23rd. When you call to make your reservation, state that you are part of the Yale OIS group. If you need to stay longer, ask for Lorey O’Neill-Panczak in the sales office to get the best rate for the extended period.
- Hotel Duncan, 1151 Chapel Street, 203-787-1273. ($55-75/night)
- Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06511 (800)-843-0664 or 203-772-6664 (starting at $239/night)
Register now for OIS – a complete schedule of activities will be sent to you in June. In the meantime if you have any questions, please send them by email to monica.weeks@yale.edu. Enjoy your summer and we look forward to meeting you at OIS.
Orientation for Yale College Students (OIS)
Testimonials
"The program served its purpose perfectly. It was not only a great first step for me into the U.S., but most important of all, it was a great first step into the Yale community. In the OIS, I have found much more than I expected. I highly recommend it to every international newcomer."
"The most important task for the OIS is to have the international students get to know each other, and that they did indeed."
"Just meeting students who were in the same situation relieved me and also stimulated me at the same time. It was a great way to get the Yale experience before hand."
"OIS didn’t meet my expectations – it surpassed them! I absolutely loved the entire program. It was fun, enlightening, entertaining and completely satisfying. It was truly inspired – it ROCKED! It provided me with the perfect welcome to Yale."