Introduction to Orientation
The term “orientation” refers to a general introduction to your new college, city, and life in the United States. During orientation, you will receive information about many facts and procedures that are important to international students and to foreigners living in the United States in general.
Orientation is mandatory for new international students. However, recipients of the International Achievement Award (scholarship for international students) must complete orientation to maintain their eligibility for the scholarship. Others are strongly advised to take the orientation process seriously as well. Without the information learned here, you may find yourself unprepared for a variety of issues. When mistakes are made, they are often costly, whether the cost be financial or in problems arising from a lack of preparedness.
Some of the new on-line sections of our Orientation Program are still being developed. The in-person segments of orientation are being offered every semester, with students starting in a summer term participating in a mini-orientation and then attending the full orientation program during the week before fall semester classes start.
The Orientation Program has the following stages:
Pre-Arrival Orientation
On-line, Conducted at student’s own pace
A Program teaching foreigners planning to come to the United States for an extended period of time how to best prepare.
Pre-Semester Orientation
In person, Conducted before every Fall and Spring Semester
A 2-day program preparing students who have newly arrived at Black Hawk College for all those steps they must complete to enroll in courses and set up other services, such as testing and registration at Black Hawk College, applying for a Social Security Number and a bank account, and much more.
First Semester Orientation
On-line, Conducted every Fall and Spring Semester
A one-semester program helping students to be informed about many things they must know in order to function successfully, such as insurance issues, visa-related matters, US law, tax requirements, how to deal with stress, and much more.
Re-Entry Orientation
In person
A program to help students prepare for the return to their home country after a prolonged period of absence.
