BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
New student orientation
Arrival information, immigration check-in, and orientation for new international students.
International student orientation
Drury holds one combined International Student Orientation for new undergraduate, exchange, and graduate international students before the start of each semester. The program is in person and coordinated with Drury's New Student Orientation.
NO SEPARATE PRE-ARRIVAL ORIENTATION
Drury does not run a pre-arrival orientation series. Pre-arrival information is sent by email and through the New International Student Arrival form.
What to expect
IMMIGRATION CHECK-IN
Complete the required arrival and immigration processes for F-1 and J-1 students with International Support Services.
ACADEMIC SESSIONS
Academics at Drury, campus technology, class registration, and academic expectations.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Health insurance, student employment, involvement opportunities, and campus services.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Campus tours and events to meet peers, connect with mentors, and learn Drury traditions.
Immigration check-in
All new international students must complete immigration check-in with Drury after arrival, before or during International Orientation.
What to bring to check-in
- Passport with visa.
- I-94 arrival record from i94.cbp.dhs.gov (opens in a new tab).
- Form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Your local U.S. address.
- Your contact information.
The First-Year Experience
International Student Orientation sits inside Drury's wider First-Year Experience, which runs from the summer before you arrive through your first semester. New Student Orientation itself is required of all new students and runs over four days before classes begin.
FUSE 101
A required first-year course building the critical thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills college asks of you. Your FUSE 101 professor is also your academic advisor.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES FAIR
Held on the third day of New Student Orientation, with more than 80 student organizations recruiting before classes start.
ORIENTATION LEADERS
Upperclassmen are with you throughout the four days to answer questions and point you to what you need.
OFFICE OF NEW STUDENT PROGRAMS
In Findlay Student Center 120. Help with goal setting, time management, academic concerns, and anything getting in the way of a good first year.
Two optional summer programs are open to incoming students: Drury Ignite, a four-night outdoor and leadership program before orientation, and the DU Bridge Program, a free program focused on building connections on campus and in Springfield.
NOT AVAILABLE ON A NEW F-1 VISA
Both programs run in the summer, before the 30-day window in which an F-1 visa allows you to enter the United States ahead of the program start date on your I-20. New international students cannot attend them. Your first program on campus is International Student Orientation.
Who to contact
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Immigration check-in, your SEVIS record, and anything tied to your F-1 or J-1 status.
OFFICE OF NEW STUDENT PROGRAMS
Orientation schedules, Ignite, the Bridge Program, and the First-Year Experience.