Orientation leaders welcome new international students.

Congratulations on your acceptance to Middlebury!

ISSS will provide F-1 and J-1 visa information by mid-May 2024 to deposited Fall 2024 students. 

International Student and Scholar Service’s (ISSS) Pre-orientation program is intended for international students including the following:

  • Members of the Class of 2028 and 2028.5
  • Exchange students
  • U.S. (and dual citizenship) students living abroad
  • International transfer students
  • Students holding various other statuses

During Pre-orientation, new international students meet people who are excited to assist them with their transition to the Middlebury College community. This group includes Program Arrival Leaders (PALs)—experienced students eager to share their knowledge and offer support, as well as the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) staff, who enjoy assisting students from around the world on their journey through Middlebury and beyond.

In addition to meeting other new students, participants learn more about key topics that affect international students—such as maintaining your U.S. visa status (if applicable) and understanding employment options, while also becoming familiar with campus resources and opportunities to get involved. International students find their Pre-orientation experience to be very beneficial!

To learn more about our Pre-orientation program for international students, see the overview below. As we develop our plans for the upcoming semester, we will update this site with details for our Pre-orientation programs.

Pre-Arrival Guide

This guide provides information about Pre-orientation for international students, the I-20 application process (for students who require visa support), the International Students’ Organization (ISO) Welcome, the Friends of International Students (FIS) Host Program, FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions, Travel to Middlebury College, and Action Items.

Pre-orientation Programs

September and FEB Pre-orientation

The ISSS Pre-orientation program allows you, a new international student, the opportunity to arrive on campus early for several important reasons. Our program strives to welcome you to your new community, holding space to discover, explore, learn, and of course rest from your travels to arrive here safely. During this program, you will build connections with students, staff, and faculty who will assist with your initial entry into the College and beyond. By participating in the ISSS Pre-orientation, you are granted more time to acclimate to your new home in Middlebury, Vermont. We hope that this program will help you launch successfully into the next phase of your transition to Middlebury.

The ISSS Pre-orientation will cover specific topics such as resources on campus and your visa status and responsibilities. We will be sharing mandatory non-immigrant information and check-in to those students arriving in F-1 and J-1 Exchange status, creating opportunities for connections regardless of your citizenship or visa status, exploring the U.S. culture from the various lenses you bring to our community, and learning together about the U.S. higher education system at Middlebury College. Participants will also enjoy organized and informal social activities.

Virtual sessions may also be offered covering various topics, including a pre-arrival question and answer session typically held one or two weeks prior to arrival day. 

Family programming is also offered during Day 1 of International Pre-orientation. 

ISSS Pre-orientation Confirmation of Participation

Participation in this program is expected and required of students in F-1 and J-1 Exchange status. For students in other statuses and who may hold U.S. citizenship, the program is optional. Most students who have lived or currently call home/local outside of the U.S. have elected to participate and found it to be a valuable and fun experience.

The International Pre-orientation Confirmation of Participation form for Fall 2024 will open in early summer 2024.  If you require assistance, please contact ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu.   

Arriving on Campus

Fall 2024 Pre-orientation program

By mid-July, ISSS will email deposited students with details about our Pre-orientation program and invite them to confirm their participation. We will provide specific information about program logistics when we have more to share.

Students arriving for on-campus instruction will be informed of particular pre-arrival tasks, including critical health and safety protocols before arrival. 

  • Arrival Day/Welcome Center: August 29,  2024
  • Program Dates:  August 30 through September 2, 2024

*NOTE: It is always a best practice to make every effort to purchase flexible tickets. Keep in mind, for students arriving in F-1/J-1 status, your full participation in the International Pre-orientation program is expected and required. Arriving to campus and moving into residence hall rooms before the above-noted Arrival Day is unfortunately not something the college can accommodate; please plan accordingly (contact ISSS if you require assistance). 

Transportation to Campus on Arrival Day 

ISSS typically offers complimentary transportation to campus for students and a reasonable number of accompanying family/friends on arrival day from specific locations only. The transportation options are tentatively scheduled to depart from the Middlebury College Amtrak stations, Burlington (Vermont) Airport (BTV), Middlebury Storrs Avenue bus stop, and local Middlebury accommodations and go directly to campus. You may use the transportation even if you do not fly into Burlington Airport as long as you are able to be at one of the above designated pick-up locations. More information is sent to students about the complimentary transportation as they progress through the arrival process. If you have questions about this, please email ISSS (isss@middlebury.edu). 

In the event of interrupted travel, while you are in transit to Vermont, ISSS will send instructions to you closer to your arrival day. We will also add more information here in anticipation of arrival day.

Gentle Reminder: ISSS does NOT have the capacity, unfortunately, to arrange complimentary transportation from other cities or locations. If you require assistance exploring ways to travel to campus or Burlington Airport and/or Middlebury College Amtrak stations, please reach out to ISSS (isss@middlebury.edu). 

For those arriving on campus using their own transportation, you are kindly asked to arrive during the Welcome Center hours (TBD by mid-July). We will have signs posted in town and on campus to lead you to the Welcome Center. 

For those seeking transportation to campus on their own, there are several Transportation Options to assist you in getting from Burlington, Vermont. Tri-Valley Transit (TVT) and “Addison County Chamber of Commerce ” (for private taxi, select “Ground” options) are common choices. Some of these options do include a fee; be sure to ask before any booking. 

International Pre-orientation Schedule

Thursday, August 29, 2024, Arrival Day/Welcome Center, TBD (by mid-July) - Axinn Center 

Friday, August 30, 2024, Day 1 International Pre-orientation, beginning at 9AM US ET (to include Family programming)

Saturday, August 31, 2024, Day 2 International Pre-orientation,

Sunday, September 01, 2024, Day 3 International Pre-orientation

Monday, September 02, 2024, Day 4 International Pre-orientation, until early afternoon

The comprehensive schedule (with additional important information) will be found here in August

A printed version will also be provided to students and families upon arrival to campus.

Note: Unfortunately, the college is unable to support students moving into their residence hall rooms earlier than the Arrival Day indicated above. 

Program Arrival Leaders (PALs)

Meet your PALs!! Get to know the student leaders excited to welcome you to campus and support your transition to Middlebury. Your PALs will be an important resource to you during the Pre-orientation program and beyond. Check back here in early summer to meet your PALs!

Sending Packages Before Your Arrival

Mail and packages are delivered to students’ mailboxes in McCullough Student Center. Your address is as follows:

Student Full Name [ID#]
Incoming Student - Middlebury College
14 Old Chapel Rd
Middlebury, VT 05753

Mailbox information, including hours the Mail Center is open, is found here. Postage stamps can be purchased at the Middlebury College Store and Midd-Xpress, our convenience store in the McCullough Student Center.

For packages, we recommend using a service you can track, such as UPS, FedEx, and insured, certified, or registered mail. Students receive an email when their packages have been processed and they will need their IDs for pickup. Packages should not weigh more than 50 lbs.

ISSS Pre-orientation Confirmation of Participation 

Participation in this program is expected and required of students in F-1 and J-1 Exchange status. For students in other statuses and who may hold U.S. citizenship, the program is optional. Most students who have lived or currently call home/local outside of the U.S. have elected to participate and found it to be a valuable and fun experience.

The International Pre-orientation Confirmation of Participation form for Fall 2024 will open in early summer 2024.  If you require assistance, please contact ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu.  Please check back again closer to May or June for the form to go live for fall 2024. 

FEB 2025 Pre-orientation Program

By mid-November, ISSS will email deposited students with details about our Pre-orientation program and invite them to confirm their participation. For students arriving in F-1 or J-1 visa status, this program is required. We will provide specific information about program logistics closer to the Spring semester.

Students arriving for on-campus instruction will be informed of particular health and safety protocols and related guidance before arrival. 

  • Welcome Center Arrival/Move-in Day: TBD
  • Program Dates: TBD

During the Welcome Center hours (12-5 PM US ET), ISSS will complete an F-1/J-1 status check-in; also at the check-in students will receive their Middlebury College ID card (which is required to access your residence hall and residence hall room). Additional information will be provided during your check-in to help you settle in at Middlebury College.

Program dates are tentative, so we suggest that if you are making transportation and accommodation plans, consider obtaining flexible options in case program dates were to change. We do not anticipate the dates will change, but it is always a best practice to be prepared.

Updated on 02/14/2024

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