International Student Orientation

Register for Orientation

1. Setup your KU Online ID.
2. After receiving the registration email from ISS, log in to iHawk.
   • Having iHawk login problems?
3. Once logged in, on your iHawk Home page scroll down to "Requests" and click on the "ISS Check-in Checklist".
4. Start with the "Orientation" section.
5. Submit the "Orientation Registration" e-form and select your start term.
6. Complete all other e-forms under the "ISS Check-In" section on the checklist.

Plan Your Arrival

You must arrive in Lawrence by your report date, found on the immigration document sent to you by KU (I-20, DS-2019, etc.).

For Spring 2025:

• ALL students (graduate & undergraduate) must arrive in Lawrence by January 13, 2025. 
• Graduate Students who have contracts as a GTA/GRA/GA: review the Incoming Graduate Assistants page if you need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). 
• ALL students will attend the mandatory International Student Orientation from Tuesday, January 14 to Friday, January 17. 
• Classes will start on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

For Summer 2025:

• ALL students (graduate & undergraduate) must arrive in Lawrence by May 28th, 2025.
• Classes will start on Monday June 2, 2025.

For Fall 2025 (updated 12/20/2024)

A recent decision has been made by the University to start Fall 2025 semester classes one week earlier than previously published.

• All new international students (graduate, undergraduate and exchange students) must arrive in Lawrence by August 4th, 2025. 
• Required International Student Orientation will begin Tuesday August 5th, 2025.
• Classes will start on Monday, August 18th, 2025. 

Prepare Before Arriving On Campus

After registering for orientation in iHawk, you will receive access to an orientation course in Canvas (one of KU’s online learning management systems) for you to complete on your own schedule. The course includes detailed instructions for how to complete required pre-arrival tasks and provides helpful information about a variety of campus resources.

1. Complete the Canvas course as soon as possible to complete all pre-arrival tasks and learn helpful information. 
2. Secure your housing on or off-campus. 
3. Book your transportation from the airport to the campus. (KU will not be providing shuttle service from the airport.)

After Arrival

By this point, you will have spent the last few months learning about how to be successful academically as well as preparing for the cultural shift of living in a new country. Upon your arrival, there will be large welcome events, fun social outings where you will meet your peers, as well as a mandatory ISS check-in, a presentation on maintaining your legal status, health screening, and English language assessments for those that need it. You will have the opportunity to see where your classes are, hear from different organizations on campus, and meet some of your professors. Welcome to KU!