Berkeley International Office is excited to welcome you to Berkeley at our Spring Orientation! We are planning a full schedule to introduce you to the campus, help you meet new friends and learn how to be academically successful, and provide opportunities to get your questions answered.
This event will be a hybrid event with all information sessions hosted virtually through Zoom, but with several in-person events where you can meet other international students and start off the semester with new friends and connections (see below). We look forward to seeing you on-campus soon!
Please register for the BIO Spring 2026 Orientation here.
Spring 2026 Orientation
BIO Virtual Orientation Sessions
January 15th, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Zoom
These sessions will be specific for EAP students and other incoming international students who hold an F-1 or J-1 visa. Degree-seeking international students should also continue to attend Golden Bear Orientation. Attendance of the BIO virtual orientation is mandatory for all incoming international students. Join the Zoom Meeting here.
Schedule:
|
Time |
Activity |
|
1:00 p.m. |
Welcome |
|
1:10 p.m. |
Navigating Campus |
|
1:25 p.m. |
Immigration Essentials |
|
2:15 p.m. |
Health and Safety |
|
2:35 p.m. |
Break |
|
2:40 p.m. |
Intro to Employment |
|
3:00 p.m. |
Student & Staff Q&A |
|
3:20 p.m. |
Academics with Advisers (EAP only) |
Opt-In: GBO/EAP Welcome Talk
January 16, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Location: Tilden (MLK Building)
Hosted by New Student Services, Golden Bear Orientation provides additional resources and guidance for incoming students, and is a great way to meet your cohort and get to know your new surroundings. GBO will include a range of welcome actiivites, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, BIO will present a Q&A Panel with BIO staff and our enthusiastic Orientation Leaders, giving you a chance to ask any burning questions you may have, as well as a Social Event in which students can meet their new colleagues in an informal and welcoming atmosphere.
EAP students are highly encouraged to opt-in and attend. However, please note that the GBO sessions will not include any essential content that is not covered in BIO's Orientation programming.
Note: UCEAP students who wish to attend GBO are required to register to attend with NSS; there is an opt-in fee of $200.
International Student Social Event
January 23, 5:30 p.m - 7 p.m., Location: Tilden (MLK Building)
Come and join your new student peers for a social event hosted by Berkeley International Office! We're looking forward to celebrating your first week of classes with a Friday evening welcome party.
We will provide you with complementary pizza and refreshments, and an opportunity to get to know your new campus colleagues. You will also have the chance to meet BIO staff members and Orientation Leaders in an informal setting in a beautiful campus space. We hope to see you there!