ISSS Pre-Orientation for Middlebury College Students

International Student and Scholar Service’s (ISSS) International Pre-orientation program is intended for international students including the following members of the Class of 2028 and 2028.5:

• Students seeking to obtain F-1 visa status
• Exchange students (those seeking J-1 visa status)
• 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.

F-1 and J-1 students are required to participate in the International Pre-orientation program. 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. who participate have found it to be a valuable and fun experience.

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. Not to mention having time to adjust to life in Vermont and Middlebury! 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 International Pre-orientation programs.

International Pre-orientation Programs

Fall and FEB Pre-orientation

The International 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 International 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 for those family members able to accompany their student to campus. 

Family Information

Family members accompanying their student to campus on Arrival Day are welcome to assist them with moving into their residence hall room, share meals in the designated campus dining hall, and participate in Welcome Center check-in. 

ISSS offers Family programming during Day 1 of International Pre-orientation programs and you can expect to meet members of the ISSS office, meet current international students, learn more about the college, and most importantly answer your immediate questions and/or direct you to other resources. 

The all-new student Orientation programs also offer additional Family programming. 

Watch here for updates from ISSS regarding family information and scheduling as it becomes available during the summer. ISSS is excited to meet you!

Family Program

Tuesday, February 04, 2025, Arrival Day/Welcome Center, 12-5PM US ET - Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209 

• Check-in with your student to receive your family welcome folder, information about the college and town, as well as learn about optional activities you could participate in with your student. Refreshments provided. Lunch and Dinner available at dining halls.

Wednesday, February 05, 2025, Day 1 International Pre-orientation, beginning at 9AM through 5.30PM US ET

• Official welcome from ISSS office, meet the ISSS team (staff and student leaders), learn about the ISSS office services, family session led by our Executive Director, and lunch provided.
• This is also the arrival day for all other new Feb students, so you will have opportunities to participate in the Orientation program offerings, too.

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. 

Meet your PAL Team - Check back by January 2025!

Pre-Arrival Guide & Form I-20/Form DS-2019 Process

This guide provides information about Pre-orientation for international students, the I-20/DS-2019 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.

• 2024-2025 Pre-Arrival Guide

   

• The Form I-20/Form DS-2019 application and issuance process is shared with all deposited students via email from ISSS. 
  • For Fall entrants, this email is sent no later than early May. 
  • For Spring entrants, this email is sent no later than late October.
  • Watch here for updates about this process!
  • If you believe you have extenuating circumstances that impact the issuance timeline, please email ISSS (isss@middlebury.edu).

Pre-Arrival Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring with me?

For more information about recommended items to bring with you to campus, including what is prohibited on campus, please visit the What to Pack? website. 

Where can I mail my items prior to arriving on campus?

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

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

You can begin shipping items to campus to arrive no earlier than February 3, 2025 for Spring arrivals, and the first day after the previous semester.

Mailbox information, including hours the Mail Center is open and how to mail packages, 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. You will receive an email when your packages have been processed and you will need your student IDs for pickup. Pickup instructions will be included in your email. Packages should not weigh more than 50 lbs.

Where can I purchase supplies?

If you would like to purchase supplies or gear, the Middlebury College Store will be open from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday-Friday. It is located in the Proctor basement. 

The Middlebury Shop which carries Middlebury gear, will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday-Friday. It is located on Main Street in downtown Middlebury.

You will also have a few opportunities during the week of Orientation to do some shopping with the help of your PALs. 

Where can I find information about housing?

Housing assignments for incoming new students are typically released about a week before new students arrive to campus. When housing assignments are ready, students will receive an email from the Residential Life team letting them know that their housing information is ready to view within the housing portal. It will include both building/room information and if they have a roommate. Additional housing information can be found on the Residential Life website.

What if I or someone traveling with me requires accommodations? 

We hope to make your visit to campus as successful as possible. If you or a member of your party has needs regarding mobility, or visual or hearing impairments, please contact us at isss@middlebury.edu or +1-802-443-5858. You will also have an opportunity to share this information when completing the Travel Plans form that will be sent to you by the end of July.

*ASL interpreters are available upon request with advanced notice.

Can I do banking on campus?

Banks in town accept student accounts and have cash machines, and there are several on-campus Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). Students may cash up to $50 in traveler’s checks at the Cashier’s Office, as well as checks from parents or guardians when made payable to a student. One day’s notice is required to cash a check for more than $50. 

You will receive additional information about setting up a bank account in upcoming messaging and once you arrive for international Pre-orientation, including an opportunity to visit a local bank during the Orientation week. 

How do we get sim cards?

The town of Middlebury has two places, AT&T and Verizon, that offer both prepaid and postpaid phone lines. You should check their websites for rates. Additionally, some stores sell a variety of sim cards with cheaper prices, but their signal might be too spotty for our campus location. 

If you are bringing your own phone, make sure it is not locked to a cell service provider or regionally locked. This will prevent any sim card bought in the United States to work with it.

Lastly, please note that you may not have time to get a phone line in the first few days of arriving on campus. The International Pre-Orientation schedule is packed and running concurrent with Orientation. We suggest you use messaging apps that work with Wi-Fi to keep in touch with your loved ones until you get a sim card. All campus buildings have Wi-Fi and the connection can extend to some outside spaces as well. Please do not hesitate to ask an ISSS staff member to assist you if contacting home/someone important to you is becoming difficult. We want to ensure you are able to notify those most important to you that you arrived safely!

Arriving on Campus

FEB 2025 International Pre-orientation Program

By mid-October, 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.

• Welcome Center Arrival/Move-in Day: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
• Program Dates: February 5 - 7, 2025 

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.

International 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. 

The International Pre-orientation Confirmation of Participation form for Spring 2025 will be available by mid-October.  Submission deadline is December 1. If you require assistance, please contact ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu.  

Updated on 09/23/2024