International Welcome Weekend
Prepare for the start of the semester with an extended, on-campus experience just for new international undergraduate students.
International Welcome Weekend is the official kick-off to the fall semester for all new international undergraduate students. You will prepare for academics at UB, explore UB resources, and connect with other students.
International Welcome Weekend is an on-campus experience from Wednesday, August 21, through Sunday, August 25; classes begin Monday, August 26. Events on August 21 and August 22 are just for new international undergraduate students. Beginning Friday, August 23 all new undergraduate students - international and U.S. - attend events together.
Learn more about program details and requirements below.
We cannot wait to welcome you to UB and help you plan for a successful first semester!
Additional Requirements
Some students have additional requirements prior to the start of the semester, during Welcome Weekend. View details below and plan your time to comply with all requirements.
During Welcome Weekend you will
- Be welcomed to UB
- Prepare for academics
- Explore out-of-classroom activities
- Connect with others
- Begin the adjustment to life as a UB student
- Explore UB campuses
International Welcome Weekend is a semi-structured experience, meaning that you will be assigned a specific schedule for portions of the weekend, including your requirements, and can choose what is most important to you during the other times.
You will receive your individualized schedule of assigned events, including times and locations, in your UB email on August 5.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
Details
- August 20 - on-campus resident move-in
- August 21 - International Welcome Weekend begins
- Plan to arrive in Buffalo, NY no later than August 21
What's Required?
First-year students
First-year students have some required events during International Welcome Weekend, including:
- Thursday, August 22 afternoon
- Friday, August 23 all day
- Saturday, August 24 afternoon
Transfer students
Most transfer students do not have required events during International Welcome Weekend, but we strongly recommend you attend events on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to get to know your new university.
Review the schedule overview to see additional details for required and highly encouraged events.
PARTICIPATE IN A CAMPUS TRADITION
Learn more about our favorite new student tradition during Welcome Weekend: the iconic human UB photo.
International Welcome Weekend Schedule Overview
Review the schedule overview below for what to expect during International Welcome Weekend!
Events on Wednesday, August 21 and Thursday, August 22 are designed specifically for new international undergraduate students.
| TIME | EVENT | REQUIREMENTS |
| 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | International Welcome Weekend Check-In | Note: required for first-year students; highly encouraged for transfers. You only need to check in once, on August 21 or August 22. |
| 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Shopping Trip Includes the following stores: Walmart, Wegmans, Tops, Target, and Asia Food Market | highly encouraged for first-year and transfer students |
| 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Campus Tours and Exploration | |
| Afternoon | Friends Without Borders |
| TIME | EVENT | REQUIREMENTS |
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. | International Welcome Weekend Check-In | Note: required for first-year students; highly encouraged for transfers. You only need to check in once, on August 21 or August 22. |
| 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. | Welcome |
required for first-year students
highly encouraged for transfer students |
| 12:45 - 2:15 p.m. | Meeting #1 with Orientation Leaders | |
| 2:15 - 3:45 p.m. | Academics at UB | |
| 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. | "How to UB" Information Sessions | |
| 4:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Meeting #2 with Orientation Leaders | |
| 8:00 p.m. | Residence Hall programming: Festival of Culture Uniting Students (FOCUS) | highly encouraged for new students living on campus |
Beginning on Friday, August 23, Welcome Weekend is for all new international and U.S. undergraduate students.
| TIME | EVENT | REQUIREMENTS | |
| 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Welcome Weekend Kickoff Meeting | required for first-year students
highly encouraged for transfer students
| |
| 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Academics at UB
Academic programming by College or School. | required for some majors
highly encouraged for all new students | |
| 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Campus Tours and Exploration
| highly encouraged for all new students | |
| Self-Guided Class Schedule Tours | Walk through your fall class schedule. If you need directions, ask Welcome Weekend staff at the blue tents; see location details on the map. | ||
| Walking Tour: North Campus | 45-minute tours leave Capen Hall every 30 minutes. | ||
| Ride along with us to South Campus | Ride on the UB Stampede with Welcome Weekend staff from Flint Loop to South Campus. | ||
| Walking Tour: South Campus | 30-minute tours leave Main Circle Loop every 30 minutes. | ||
| Ride along with us to North Campus | Ride on the UB Stampede with Welcome Weekend staff from Goodyear Hall to North Campus. | ||
| 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. | New Student Welcome including iconic human UB class photo! | required for first-year students
highly encouraged for transfer students | |
| 9:00 p.m. | Late Night Events
Check back in May for details! | ||
| TIME | EVENT | REQUIREMENTS | |
| 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. | UB Community Rotations
You will be assigned a specific schedule to rotate through three sessions, which include:
"Diversity Dialogue" to learn about engaging with and contributing to UB's diverse community
"The Hook Up" is an interactive improv show about relationships
Self-care is time dedicated for you to choose what you need, including some popular UB events or optional Q&A with Orientation Leaders
Seating is limited and you are required to follow your assigned schedule in your August 5 email. | required for first-year students
highly encouraged for transfer students | |
| 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Campus Fest
UB's largest student organization tabling event and street party. | highly encouraged for all new students | |
| 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Bulls Like Me Meet-Ups
These are affinity spaces designed for you to connect with students with a shared identity. Welcome Weekend staff will facilitate casual conversation and share resources for each group. Food provided.
The August schedule will include the locations for the following groups: Black, Latinx, East/Southeast Asian, LGBTQ+, South Asian/Desi American, WiSE, from NYC, from small towns, creatives, gamers, outdoor adventurers. | highly encouraged for all new students | |
| 9:00 p.m. | Late Night Events
Check back in May for details! |
| TIME | EVENT | REQUIREMENTS |
| 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Student Organization Showcase
Student-run clubs and organizations host activities and events designed to introduce you to what they're all about. Drop in to as many that interest you!
Session details (title/locations) will be available in August. | highly encouraged for all new students |
| 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. | "How to UB" Information Sessions
15-minute information sessions led by Orientation Leaders cover topics such as campus transportation, working on campus, helpful technology tools and apps, learning in a 400+ person classroom, and more
Session details (title/locations) will be available in August. | highly encouraged for all new students |
| 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | International Student Social | highly encouraged for new international students |
| 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Intercultural and Diversity Center (IDC) Welcome Back BBQ
Come meet other BIPOC Bulls, connect with faculty/staff, learn about cultural clubs, and celebrate the start of the semester with good music, good food, and good company. | |
| 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Community Meetings
Your Resident Advisor (RA) will share your floor's assigned time and location when you move in! | required for new students living on campus |
| 9:00 p.m. | Bulls Welcome Back Blast
|
| TIME | EVENT | REQUIREMENTS |
| 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Welcome and Information Tents
Look for orientation staff in blue tents at key outdoor locations for help finding your way around North Campus and South Campus. | |
| 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | First Day Photos
Celebrate the first day of classes at UB! We'll have signs and photographers on the Academic Promenade to help you capture the moment. If you post on social media, be sure to tag us (@ubstudentexp) and use UB hashtags (#ubuffalo and #NewtoUB). | highly encouraged for all new students |
QUESTIONS ABOUT WELCOME WEEKEND?
Have a question about the weekend or anticipate a conflict? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for guidance.
How to Get to UB
Whether you're living on one of UB's campuses or commuting from an off-campus location, it is an exciting week of settling in to new places or routines! Use the information in this section to prepare for your first trip to campus in August.
Utilize UB's regularly scheduled shopping shuttles (view schedule here) or our Wednesday, August 21 shopping trip to purchase supplies after you arrive.
Please note: family and friends are welcome to join to assist you with move-in and getting settled in Buffalo, NY. We strongly recommend reviewing your International Welcome Weekend schedule to plan when to say goodbye.
Navigation Resources
On-Campus Move-In
If you are living in on-campus housing, we recommend you move in on Tuesday, August 20. You may choose to arrive earlier to allow for rest and adjusting to the Eastern time zone. The earliest on-campus move-in date for new students is Saturday, August 17.
Campus Living will email you on July 31 to select your move-in date through the Housing Portal. Plan to arrive on the date you select to check in (get your key) and then you'll have a few hours to move in your belongings and settle into your space.
Commuting to Campus
Plan to commute to campus each day of International Welcome Weekend to help you get familiar with how you navigate to and around UB's campuses.
Program Check-In
Check-in for International Welcome Weekend takes place on August 21 and August 22 at the Center for the Arts on the University at Buffalo's North Campus.
If you plan to arrive by UB bus/shuttle, view the schedule for "North Campus Shuttle" and pick up the shuttle at your location to arrive to the Center for the Arts.
If you plan to get dropped off, have your ride use Google Maps directions to the Center for the Arts to arrive at the south entrance of the building.
If you plan to drive to UB, you may park at the Slee A Lot (enter 'Slee A Lot, University at Buffalo' in your GPS or navigational tool, or visit Google Maps for directions to Slee A Lot). Make sure your license plate is on record before your trip to campus; register your plate now (requires UBIT name/password).
ON-campus Resources
- Complete the online International Student Check-In and upload all required immigration documents, including your Form I-94 (only available after you enter the U.S.).
- Complete part 1 of UB's online health/safety courses (Alcohol EDU and Sexual Assault Prevention); instructions will be sent to your UB email on August 1. Complete part 1 before August 21. Learn more about both programs on the Health Promotion website.
- Connect to UB's eduroam Wi-Fi. eduroam is UB's official Wi-Fi for internet almost everywhere on campus. Follow the instructions for connecting your device and you'll stay connected wherever eduroam is available.
- Submit a photo for your UB Card (requires government issued ID). Your UB Card will be printed for you and ready to pick-up from 1Capen your first week on campus.
- Sign up for UBAlert to receive UB's emergency text messages.
- Download your UBLinked Event Pass to your phone wallet or camera roll to check in to events at UB.
STAY ON TRACK
Take action on all tasks listed on the New Student Checklist.
Helping new students transition to life at UB:
Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
Student Life
University at Buffalo
112 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-6125