Orientation Information and Schedule

August 2026

International students with Hunter Swanson on campus

Washington and Lee University Center for International Education International Students International Student Orientation Orientation Information and Schedule
Center for International Education

General Information

What to Bring The Office of Housing & Residence Life has created a list of items you may want to consider bringing with you, shipping to your room, or buying after you arrive. The list also includes items that are especially important for international students. 
Communication

 Join the WhatsApp group and post your questions in the chat. Call 540-550-4270 if you need to reach Hunter. Call Public Safety 540-458-8999 in an emergency or if you get locked out of your room or hall (Public Safety is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Accessing Your Room You will receive your ID card and room key when you arrive on campus. You will need BOTH to enter your residence hall. If you are locked out, call Public Safety at 540-458-8999.
Packages Any bedding or room supplies that you ordered will be in your room if they arrived before orientation begins. If your packages aren’t in your room, check the shipping information. You can pick up packages from Mail Services during business hours.
Google Calendar You can download a Google Calendar with the orientation schedule if you’d like. 
Dining and Meals The Dining Hall (Marketplace) will be open from 7 am - 8 pm. Let the cashier know that you are with International Student Orientation when you enter and your meal will be paid for by the CIE. 
Connecting to W&L WiFi Connecting to the W&L WiFi when you reach campus is easy using these instructions.

On-Campus Emergency Contact

 The W&L Department of Public Safety is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have an emergency and need help, you can call 540-458-8999 or visit Public Safety.

Orientation Schedule

Arrival
The CIE and the ISO Leaders will assist with arrival for all students. Students should make sure they have joined the WhatsApp group. 

  • 7:30 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast at Dining Hall (Marketplace)
  • 10:00 - 10:30 AM - Getting to Know Your Fellow Leaders and Students  (CGL Atrium)
  • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Campus Tour and Scavenger Hunt (learn about resources and services at W&L in an interactive activity)
  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Lunch (Marketplace)
  • 1:30 - 2:30 PM - Optional activities with your Orientation Leaders
  • 3:00 - 6:00 PM - Walmart Shopping (multiple trips)
  • 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Dinner at Dining Hall (Marketplace)
  • 7:30  - 9:00 AM - Breakfast at Dining Hall (Marketplace)
  • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Rotating Groups (lunch, set-up post office boxes (if desired), tour the university bookstore, and set-up bank accounts at Wells Fargo or Cornerstone Bank)
  • 5:15 - 5:30 PM - Dining Services Talk (learn about the dining options provided at W&L) (Marketplace)
  • 5:30 - 7:00 PM - Dinner at Dining Hall (Marketplace)
  • 7:00 - 8:00 PM - Insights Activity with the Director of the CIE (engage in an activty to anonymously address questions about life at W&L) (CGL Atrium)
  • 7:30 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast at Marketplace
  • 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Continue bank account creation
  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Lunch at the Marketplace
  • 1:15 - 2:45 PM - Public Safety Session (learn about services offered by W&L Public Safety and basic US laws)(Parmly 307)
  • 3:00 - 3:45 PM - Activities Fair (learn about resources and experiences offered by the Harte Center, OIE, CPD, SAIL, and more) (CGL Atrium)
  • 5:30 - 7:00 PM - Dinner at the Marketplace
  • 8:00 - 10:00 PM - S’mores and Stargazing (Third Year Village and Law School Lawn)
  • 7:30 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast at Marketplace
  • 10:00 - 10:30 AM - Executive Committee Presentation (learn about W&L’s student-run Honor System) (Parmly 307)
  • 10:45 - 11:45 AM - Library Resources (learn how to do research and include citations in a hands-on activity) (Leyburn Library)
  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Lunch at Marketplace
  • 1:00 - 3:00 PM - Academics Session (learn about the liberal arts, classroom etiquette, and basic academic expectations at W&L) (Parmly 307)
  • 3:00 - 5:00 PM - Finish up bank accounts
  • 5:30 - 7:00 PM - Dinner at Marketplace
  • 8:00 - 10:00 PM - Game Night/Karaoke (CGL Atrium)
  • 7:30 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast at Marketplace
  • 9:00 - 10:30 AM - Study Skills (learn important study skills) (Parmly 307)
  • 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Group Photo outside the CGL
  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM -  Lunch at Marketplace
  • 1:00 - 2:30 PM - Lindley Health and Counseling (learn about health and counseling services at W&L and the US healthcare system) (Parmly 307)
  • 3:30 - 4:30 PM - Title IX (learn about Title IX rules and procedures) (Parmly 307)
  • 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Dinner at Marketplace
  • 7:00  - 9:00 PM - Across Cultures (learn and ask questions about different aspects of life at W&L with your orientation leaders) (CGL 214, CGL 211, CGL 246, and CGL 212)
  • 7:30 - 9:00 AM  - Breakfast at Marketplace
  • 9:30  - 10:30 AM - Taxes, Financial Aid and Student Employment (learn about taxes in the US, working on-campus, and financial aid) (Parmly 307)
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Demo Class (attend one of four demo classes offered by a W&L professor - locations: CGL 203, 211, 212)
  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Lunch at Marketplace
  • 1:00 - 2:30 PM - Demo Class Debrief (reflect on what you learned in the class and learn about resources for academic help outside of the classroom and how to use office hours) (Parmly 307)
  • 3:00 - 4:30 PM - Student Visas (learn how to maintain your visa status, legally work in the US and more) (Parmly 307)
  • 5:30 - 7:00 PM - Dinner at Marketplace
  • 8:00 - 10:00 PM - Movie Night (Stackhouse Theater)

Center for International Education

Mark Rush

Director

Hunter Swanson

International Student Advisor

Cindy Irby

Associate Director and Study Abroad Advisor

Jillian Murphy

Assistant Director of International Education and Study Abroad Coordinator

Kristy Reed

Center for International Education Office Manager

Center for International Education

  • Campus Address
    Ruscio Center for Global Learning
    Room 145
    Mailing Address
    Center for International Education
    204 W. Washington St.
    Washington and Lee University
    Lexington, Virginia 24450