Campus gears up for Orientation 2018

It’s that time of year again—orientation programs begin on Friday, August 31 with International Orientation.

This year, more than 1,000 international students will arrive on campus, many via the nine coach buses doing 20 runs from Pearson Airport to bring students and their families to campus. Once they arrive, students will be welcomed by faculty, staff and upper-year student volunteers at new Welcome Centres at residence and Canada House locations on main campus.

Orientation events continue throughout the week, as another 8,000+ incoming students arrive for their Orientation programming and move-in days on Sunday and Monday. Classes begin on Thursday, September 6, but Orientation continues through to Saturday, September 8. Orientation programming wraps up with the Black & Gold day carnival, football game, and Monte Carlo night on Saturday.

Orientation is made possible through a shared partnership between the Federation of Students (Feds), the Graduate Student Association (GSA), the Student Success Office (SSO), and all six faculties.

“Whether it is by welcoming the arrivals of new students at the airport, or by stopping to lend assistance to a student who is looking lost, there are a variety of different ways that upper-year students, staff, and faculty help to make students who are new to our campus feel welcome and part of the UWaterloo community," says Richard Wu, President, Federation of Students. “We are looking forward to providing a warm welcome to all our new Warriors.”

Scheduled activities include:

• International undergraduate orientation (Friday, August 31 to Sunday, September 2) — For first-year students who have a study permit, attended high school internationally, are new to Canadian culture, or are developing their English language skills; family members welcome to attend.
• Out-of-province and American program (Sunday, September 2) — For first-year students and their family members from across Canada and the United States to get introduced to Waterloo and life in Ontario.
• First-year undergraduate orientation (Sunday, September 2 to Saturday, September 8) — For all new first-year students. Many will participate in International, American and out-of-province orientation before joining in with first-year orientation.
• Parent and Family Orientation (September 1 - 3) – For parents and family members to learn about how to support their first-year student.
• Transfer Student orientation (Monday, September 3 to Saturday, September 8) — For college transfer students and university transfer students.
• Exchange and study abroad orientation (Monday, September 3 to Saturday, September 8) — For undergraduate and graduate students coming to Waterloo as an exchange or study abroad student.
• Graduate student orientation (Tuesday, September 4 to Sunday, September 9) — For all incoming graduate students.

Some highlight events for undergraduate students are:

• Single & Sexy – On September 4 -5 students will have the opportunity to attend this collective play about attitudes and behaviours written and performed by University of Waterloo students and alumni. The high energy, entertaining and powerful presentation shares scenarios and attitudes students may witness or experience. This year, Single & Sexy celebrates its 30^th anniversary.
• Waterloo Fest – On Thursday, September 6 students can explore Uptown Waterloo at this festival/market style event, hosted in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, where they’ll find live performances, food trucks, buskers, and more.
• Black and Gold Day – On Saturday, September 8 students can attend the Black and Gold Day carnival to get pumped up for the Waterloo Warriors vs. Carleton Ravens football game. The day includes face painting, black and gold swag, inflatables, and a photo booth for students show their Waterloo pride.

Follow the Orientation 2018 excitement on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #UWOW18. You can also add @uofwaterloo on snapchat for live video snaps from student leaders throughout the week.