Orientation

You are invited to arrive in Cortland, New York on January 17, 2024 for the Spring semester and August 20, 2024 for the Fall semester prior to the mandatory International Student Orientation.

Flight and Arrival Information: Please let us know your travel details by August 3 (for the Fall semester) and January 3 (for the Spring Semester). We can arrange to pick you up free of charge from the Syracuse (SYR) or Ithaca (ITH) airports, the Cortland bus station, or the Syracuse train station on the following dates.

Fall semester student arrival date: August 20, 2024

Spring semester student arrival date: January 17, 2024

Traveling by Air: Students who arrive in New York City, Newark, Boston, Chicago, or Philadelphia can take a direct flight from those airports to either the Syracuse or Ithaca airport. In the past, some students have used Sky Scanner or Kayak to purchase their local airline tickets. (Please read the airline luggage size restrictions, as some alternative fees may apply for domestic flights.)

Traveling by Train: For train schedules between New York City and Syracuse, please check: Amtrak.

Traveling by Bus: For bus services between New York City and Cortland, please check Greyhound routes.

Please note, students who plan to arrive earlier than the dates indicated above, should plan to explore New York City, Washington D.C. or other American cities, until the scheduled arrival date. Students will need to make their own arrangements for housing and transportation during this time.

International Student Orientation will play a vital role in helping you make new friends and adjusting to our campus, U.S. classroom and culture by creating a welcoming and informative environment. You will connect with all campus procedures and policies as well as make new friends.  (See a sample orientation schedule.)

Our orientation staff, who are current SUNY Cortland domestic and international students, will lead you through a full schedule of diverse activities and events during this week. These will include campus and downtown tours, shopping for essentials, several seminars and workshops as well as lunch with SUNY Cortland's president and provost. You also will enjoy a variety of trips to Niagara Falls, museums, theaters, the nearby cities of Ithaca and Syracuse as well as a few American sports.

You will be required to attend an international student information session to be held during your orientation week. At this session, you will be introduced to and receive presentations from all campus departments and you will receive critical immigration information necessary to maintain your F-1 and J-1 visa status. Our non-native English-speaking students will be required to attend a mandatory language assessment as well.

We are confident that you will find this orientation experience enormously valuable, as it will ensure a seamless transition to your new home at SUNY Cortland.