International Student Welcome
Learn more about UB's welcome for F-1 and J-1 international students.
Fall 2025 International Student Welcome - Monday, August 18 - 21, 2025
Register for Events on UBLinked
Alongside your academic department's orientation, graduate international students will participate in International Student Welcome in-person activities.
This special program is tailored just for you, offering activities to welcome you to UB, and help you get settled before the start of your first semester here.
To access the schedule, join the International Student Welcome group in UBLinked.
- Log into using your UBIT name and password.
- In the Search Box, type: Fall International Student Welcome
- Under Organizations, click on “Fall International Student Welcome”.
- Click on “JOIN”.
- Refresh the main page.
- On the main page, click on “VIEW MORE EVENTS” to see the full International Student Welcome Schedule.
- This feature is unavailable when viewing the group webpage on your phone. You will need to use a computer to view all events.
- We recommend that you RSVP to all of the International Student Welcome programs, events and opportunities you will attend.
Schedule Overview
Pre-Arrival Live Events: May - August
Did you miss a live event before arriving? Wondering what's next? Don't worry, catch up with our event recordings! They're part of your International Student Welcome to help you start at UB.
Welcome Packet Pick-Up
RSVP to let us know when you plan to pick up your Welcome Packet.
| Date | Time | Location | RSVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 Dates Coming Soon |
International Student Welcome: August 18-21, 2025
RSVP for events and activities you plan to attend.
Monday, August 18
Connecting with Your Peers
- Registration is required.
- There are two options for this program (morning session and afternoon session). Please select only one option.
| Event | Time | Location | RSVP |
|---|---|---|---|
Connecting with Your Peers (Morning Session) | 9:00 am - 11:30 am | TBD | Coming Soon |
Connecting with Your Peers (Afternoon Session) | 1:30 pm 鈥� 4:00 pm | TBD | Coming Soon |
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19
| Event | Time | Location | RSVP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resource & Vendor Fair | 9:00 am 鈥� 12:00 pm | Center for the Arts (CFA) Atrium | Coming Soon |
| North Campus Tours | 9:00 am 鈥� 12:00 pm | CFA Atrium | Coming Soon |
| Welcome Packet Pick-up | 9:00 am 鈥� 12:00 pm | CFA Atrium | Coming Soon |
| SIM Student and J-1 Student Welcome Lunch | 12:00 鈥� 2:00 pm | Contact your Program Advisor for location | Not required |
| International Student Welcome Group Photo | 2:00 鈥� 2:30 pm | Baird Point, UB North Campus | Coming Soon |
| Welcome Ceremony | 3:00 鈥� 4:30 pm | CFA Atrium | Coming Soon |
| Welcome Party | 4:30 鈥� 6:00 pm | Baird Point, UB North Campus | Coming Soon |
Need Directions?
UB's Campus Map will help you find your way around North Campus.
Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21
ISW Community Connections Program
The ISW Community Connections program introduces new and transfer international students to sites and activities in Western New York. Attendees can participate in one of the activities listed below on either Wednesday, August 20, or Thursday, August 21. Registration is required to attend.
| Activity | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
Buffalo Harbor Cruise on the Miss Buffalo II | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | A two-hour boat cruise visiting Lake Erie, the Buffalo Harbor, and the Buffalo Marina aboard the Miss Buffalo II. Snacks and beverages will be available (while supplies last). |
Sail Lake Erie and the Buffalo Harbor on the MoonDance Catamaran | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Enjoy a 1.5-2 hour sail around Lake Erie and the Buffalo Harbor aboard the MoonDance Catamaran. Snacks and beverages will be available (while supplies last). |
| Trip to Niagara Falls | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm | Explore the U.S. side of Niagara Falls at your own pace and create an experience of your own design. Bring a picnic lunch and relax in the park on Goat Island, purchase a ticket to ride on the Maid of the Mist, and/or go on the Cave of the Winds Tour and feel the intensity of the Falls. (Participants are responsible for any costs associated with any activities or attractions in which they choose to participate.) |
| Shopping trip to Niagara Falls Outlets | 9:30 am - 2:00 pm | This activity will take students to the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls with more than 150 stores to find the items you need to get settled in Buffalo. |
Check you schedule before registering for an activity.
Students in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences should register for an activity happening on Thursday, August 21, 2025, to avoid conflicts with your academic department orientation programs. Students in all other majors should verify if they have an academic department orientation and ensure that they do not register for an activity that will conflict with their department orientation.
Once you have registered for an activity, your registration can not be changed.
ISW Community Connections registration closes at 4:00 pm on Friday, August 15, 2025.
About Our Welcome Series
The Welcome Series sessions and activities are informative, useful, and important as you continue your transition to UB throughout your first semester on campus.
Welcome Series programs and activities will be shared leading up to and throughout the semester.
International Student Welcome Fee
The International Student Welcome Fee (listed as “International Student ISS Fall Orientation – Full Program” on your student account) is a one-time charge for international students new to the UB campus that covers International Student Welcome programming. The International Orientation Fee for F-1 graduate students, J-1 students, and SIM students is $125.00.
The fee will appear on your student account during the second or third billing cycle. The fee is charged to all new students and is not charged based on your choice of participation in any or all of the ISW programs, events, information sessions, etc., or receipt of any welcome items.