A full schedule will also be available on the BrownU app in August. Social and community-building events will be announced and open for registration by early August. Registration for All-Student Orientation is required; please see your email for instructions.
Graduate School
International Graduate Student Orientation - Fall 2025
Prior to International Orientation, newly arrived students in Initial F-1 or J-1 status will need to complete and submit the “New Student Registration” request on the Requests and Documents Tab within their OISSS Gateway account to activate their F-1 or J-1 SEVIS record to maintain valid F/J Immigration status.
Download the BrownU App to follow along and find the locations. Orientation information will be available in the app by mid-August.
We know that arriving in a new country and new city can be daunting, so we've put together a list of resources to help you as you settle in during your first few weeks.
Schedule*
Includes a listing of sessions for all incoming international graduate students.
*Schedule is subject to change
Graduate Student Council Ice Cream & Dessert Social
Enjoy ice cream novelties and meet members of the Graduate Student Council.
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm | Pembroke Green (tent next to Alumnae Hall); Rain location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Complete your I-9 Form
Stop by the Brown Business Center with the required documents to complete your I-9 form in order to receive your first-year supplemental fellowship payment and first stipend payment. Note: F-1/J-1 Students must submit their New Student Registration online before completing the I-9 process.
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm | Page-Robinson Hall, Room 213
The Graduate Labor Organization (GLO) Overview
The Graduate Labor Organization (GLO) is the union of graduate student employees at Brown University. As researchers, teachers, and mentors at Brown, graduate workers are vital to the everyday working of the university. Through collective bargaining and collective action, we advocate for the needs of a diverse student body, organize for improved working conditions, fight against discrimination in all its forms, and nurture a caring community that supports the personal and professional lives of all student workers. This session will be focused on International graduate student employees.
Time: 3:00-3:30 pm | Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Tours of the Globe
Visit the Global Brown Center, meet professional staff, learn about our programs and resources, and check out international students’ very own home away from home at Brown.
Time: 3:35-4:05 pm | Page-Robinson Hall, Room 312 | Registration required.
Campus Tours
A one-hour tour of main campus led by graduate student peers. This tour will highlight the College Hill campus and visit more than twenty places crucial to your smooth transition to Brown life. You will gain knowledge of the locations, services, and firsthand users' experiences about those places from your peers. In the event of heavy rain or storm, tours will be cancelled.
Time: 3:35 and 4:05 pm starts | Meet in front of Sayles Hall
(In the event of heavy rain or lightning, the tours would be cancelled.)
Check-in & Breakfast
Drop in anytime between 9 and 10 am to pick up Brown swag, make a name tag, and enjoy a light breakfast.
Time: 9:00-10:00 am | Pembroke Green (tent next to Alumnae Hall); Rain location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Welcome to Brown
Welcoming words from the Graduate School and the School of Professional Studies, Global Brown, the Graduate Student Council, and graduate Orientation assistants.
Time: 10:00-10:30 am | Pembroke Green (tent next to Alumnae Hall); Storm location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Peer Panel: Navigating Graduate Student Life at Brown and in the U.S.
Hear from fellow graduate students about their experiences at Brown and in Rhode Island.
Time: 10:35-11:15 am | Pembroke Green (tent next to Alumnae Hall); Storm location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Introduction to the International House of Rhode Island
As an international graduate student at Brown, you and your partner/spouse are entitled to a free membership at IHRI, a Providence non-profit organization located close to campus, where you can take language classes, attend special musical, theatrical, and other cultural events, and join us for regularly-scheduled potluck lunches and internationally-themed dinners.
Time: 11:20-11:30 am | Pembroke Green (tent next to Alumnae Hall); Storm location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Mental Wellness and Resilience during Your Time at Brown
Presented by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), this session introduces common concepts and terms for wellness, self-care, and counseling. Learn what resources are available to you at Brown (for example, CAPS offers services in multiple languages besides English) and how to manage stress and maximize self-care during graduate school.
Time: 11:35 am - 12:05 pm | Pembroke Green (tent next to Alumnae Hall); Storm location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Grab & Go Lunch with peer mentor groups
Meet with your graduate student peer mentors (including some Graduate School staff) and fellow graduate students in small groups to discuss academic and community life at Brown.
Time: 12:05-1:25 pm | Assigned tables around Pembroke Green (next to Alumnae Hall); Rain locations: various rooms in Alumnae Hall
Introduction to the English for International Teaching Assistants Program
Learn about the English for International Teaching Assistants Program, which evaluates the spoken English proficiency of international teaching assistants before they assuming teaching duties at Brown. For doctoral and MFA students only.
Time: 1:30-1:40 pm | Alumnae Hall Auditorium; Storm location: Alumnae Hall Crystal Room
Mandatory Session: Immigration Essentials
Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) team members provide an overview of immigration information pertaining to the maintenance of F-1 and J-1 student status.
PhD & MFA Students: Time: 1:40-2:55 pm | Alumnae Hall Auditorium; Storm location: Alumnae Hall Crystal Room
Master's Students: Time: 1:30-2:30 pm | Pembroke Green (tent next to Alumnae Hall); Storm location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Tours of the Globe
Visit the Global Brown Center, meet professional staff, learn about our programs and resources, and check out international students’ very own home away from home at Brown.
Time: 3:00-3:30 pm | Page-Robinson Hall, Room 312 | Registration required.
International Student Reception
Enjoy hearty appetizers and conversation with Graduate School and School of Professional Studies deans, leadership and Center directors from across the University. ID (passport or license) required.
Time: 4:00-5:30 pm | Main Green (end closest to George Street); Rain location: Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Explore International House of Rhode Island
Founded in 1963, International House has been a resource for the Brown international community for over 60 years! They have six private residential rooms, reserved for international scholars, and host English classes, 1-1 tutoring, Film Club, musical concerts, book talks, and other programs. In this session you will get a tour of the house, enjoy international-themed treats*, learn more about International House, and get a chance to connect with incoming international graduate students. This session may be especially beneficial to international students with spouses, partners or families.
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Location: International House of Rhode Island, 8 Stimson Ave, Providence Registration limited to 40 students.
Hangout at the GCB
The legendary Graduate Center Bar also known as GCB has recently reopened after the pandemic time! They have a very strict ID policy, so bring your passport to get in and/or become a member. The experience of generations of Brown grad students tells us that you will be hanging out there often!
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: 42 Charlesfield Street, Providence
Registration
Saturday
Banking & Cell Phone Fair
Students will have a chance to speak directly to bank and cell phone providers near campus.
Time: 12:00-4:00 pm
Location: Sayles Hall
RISD Museum Tour
Join your peer graduate students in this group tour to view over 2000 objects exhibited in the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Established in 1877, this museum has gathered art and design from ancient times to the present day from all over the world. It is a perfect occasion to appreciate world art, make new friends, and get more acquainted with local life in Providence.
There are five time slots available: 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:00 pm and limited space for each. Please select your desired time, but know that it may be subject to change.
Location: RISD Museum, 20 N Main St, Providence
Registration is limited to 75 students.
Sunday
Brown University Public Art Tour
The Brown Arts Institute runs this free, student-led Public Art Tour to provide weekend enrichment through the exploration of Brown University's distinctive outdoor public art collection.
The Public Art Tours enable the University to share its significant cultural assets with the wider public and underscore the value of public art within the Brown community. With guidance from University Curator Nicole Wholean, 15 students, supported through Brown Arts Institute's ArtsCrew workforce development initiative, curated tours that feature a personal selection of 6 works from Brown's wide-ranging public art collection of over 30 pieces.
Participants can look forward to a student-led exploration that promises not just a tour, but an inclusive and enjoyable learning experience, unveiling the stories behind each artwork and the collection as a whole.
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Tom Friedman's Circle Dance located on the Waterman Green
Registration limited to 30 students.
Rock Climbing Event
Looking for a fun way to kick off your time at Brown? Join us for an afternoon of rock climbing and community building at Rock Spot Climbing! Whether you're a first-time climber or an experienced pro, this is a great opportunity to challenge yourself, meet other incoming master's students, and have fun before the semester begins!
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Rock Spot Climbing, 42 Rice St, Providence
Registration limited to 50 students.
Garden Tour
Brown has a unique campus, with beautiful architecture and gorgeous gardens. Most of these places are generally taken for granted or even not noticed. To help you find a secret place to call yours, either to rest or to get some work done, we put together a list with "secret gardens" you must know. Follow the map instructions to guide yourself through incredible hidden little spots around campus! Also consider taking the campus tree tour (provided by the Office of Sustainability).