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International Student Orientation Schedules


Orientation is your time to meet other international students, learn about college life at SUNY Plattsburgh, and get set up for a successful semester during the week before classes begin.

Orientation Schedule


International student orientation takes place the week before classes begin each January and August. The final schedule for each orientation will be posted on this page approximately one week before the events begin. The entire GEO team works very hard to make orientation useful and fun. Don’t miss a thing!

Arrival Dates & Orientation


Please review the dates below before you make your travel plans to come to Plattsburgh. The closest major airport is in Burlington, Vermont (BTV). Plattsburgh also has a small airport with one local flight you may also use, but Burlington is normally cheaper and has more options. We suggest using it. Plattsburgh also has Greyhound bus and Amtrak service from New York City (about 500 km from Plattsburgh).

PLEASE NOTE FOR PICK UPS: You must use the Burlington airport or Plattsburgh airport, bus or train stations and arrive on the days specified between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in order for us to be able to pick you up. The Burlington airport is a bit far, requires a ferry across Lake Champlain and taxi can easily cost up to $200 one way. Anyone arriving in Burlington after 8 p.m. on arrival days or outside specified arrival dates will have to book a hotel for the night, we will pick you up there the next morning as long as you specify it in your arrival form (more info below). If you arrive in Plattsburgh after 8 p.m., you can take a taxi to campus. We are only a few minutes from the bus, train and airport.

Arrival Schedules by Semester
Semester Arrival Days Student Orientation Dates First Day of Classes
Fall 2024 Aug. 19–20, 2024 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) Aug. 21–25, 2024 Monday, Aug. 28, 2024
Spring 2025 Jan. 21–22, 2025 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) Jan. 23–24, 2025 Monday, Jan. 27, 2025
Fall 2025 Aug. 18–19, 2025 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) TBD Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

 

Travel Itinerary


If you have not done so already, please fill out the International Student Arrival Information Form so that we can be prepared for your arrival. Advance notice of at least 2 weeks is required in order for us to arrange your ground transportation after arrival. Please note that this service is only available to new international students who pay the international student orientation fee. Please review our detailed information on traveling to the U.S. before making any travel plans.

If you have further questions about international student orientation, please contact us at [email protected].

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