Orientation for New International Students
New to Dal - International Orientation is now closed. Check back for updates on the 2024 New to Dal schedule!
Welcome to the Dalhousie University community! We are excited to meet you online or in person as you begin your university life, no matter where you are in the world! Our New to Dal international student orientation is a great way to start the semester. We are all here to support you!
During the New to Dal international student orientation, you will:
- Learn about your Faculty and how to prepare for the Canadian classroom
- Meet senior students through Together@Dal
- Meet International Centre Student Advisors
- Connect with your cultural societies
- Learn more about Dalhousie services and resources
International Centre Orientation schedule:
August 29
Doors Open!
Enjoy tea, coffee, juice and breakfast snacks while you wait for first session to begin.
- Time: 9:00 a.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
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International Centre Welcome & Orientation Overview
Find out all you need to know for week one, month one, and semester one at Dal.
- Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
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International Centre Services & Immigration Info Session
Meet the International Centre's licensed Immigration Advisors.
- Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
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Session: "Staying Safe, On & Off Campus"
Learn about Canadian laws, University policies, and on-campus safety services and supports.
- Time: 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Council Chambers (Second Floor)
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Session: "Student Guide to Life in Halifax"
Learn about on- and off-campus essentials, including banking, phone, transportation, shopping, weather, and more.
- Time: 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Room 303 (Third Floor)
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Session: "Health, Wellness & Student Insurance"
Learn about student health insurance coverage and benefits and university wellness and medical services.
- Time: 2:30 to 3:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Council Chambers (Second Floor)
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Session: "Academic & Student Supports"
Learn about common academic challenges and available resources and supports for students.
- Time: 2:30 to 3:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Room 303 (Third Floor)
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Session: "Student Panel"
A panel of international students discusses challenges, surprises, and lessons learned coming to Dalhousie.
- Time: 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Council Chambers (Second Floor)
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Campus Tour
Join upper-year international students for a personalized tour of campus.
- Time: 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building (meet at the main entrance)
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Optional Activity #1 - Board Games
A casual, low-key evening of board games.
- Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: International Centre (1246 Lemarchant Street)
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Optional Activity #2 - Halifax Waterfront Walk
Go for an evening walk along Halifax’s beautiful waterfront boardwalk.
- Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Meet at the Sexton Campus parking lot (behind the Halifax Central Library).
August 30
Doors Open!
Enjoy tea, coffee, juice and breakfast snacks while you wait for first session to begin.
- Time: 9:00 a.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
-----
International Centre Welcome & Orientation Overview
Find out all you need to know for week one, month one, and semester one at Dal.
- Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
-----
International Centre Services & Immigration Info Session
Meet the International Centre's licensed Immigration Advisors.
- Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
-----
Session: "Student Guide to Life in Halifax"
Learn about on- and off-campus essentials, including banking, phone, transportation, shopping, weather, and more.
- Time: 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Council Chambers (Second Floor)
-----
Session: "Academic & Student Supports"
Learn about common academic challenges and available resources and supports for students.
- Time: 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Room 303 (Third Floor)
-----
Optional Activity #1 - Games in the Quad
Take part in fun outdoor games, such as spike ball and washer toss.
- Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Studley Quad
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Optional Activity #2 - Downtown Discovery Walk
Discover the sights, streets, and shops of downtown Halifax.
- Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Meet at the Sexton Campus parking lot (behind the Halifax Central Library).
-----
Session: "Health, Wellness & Student Insurance"
Learn about student health insurance coverage and benefits, plus university wellness and medical services.
- Time: 2:30 to 3:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Council Chambers (Second Floor)
-----
Campus Tour
Join upper-year international students for a personalized tour of campus.
- Time: 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building (meet at the main entrance)
-----
Session: "Student Panel"
A panel of international students discusses challenges, surprises, and lessons learned coming to Dalhousie.
- Time: 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.
- Location: Student Union Building, Council Chambers (Second Floor)
-----
Optional Activity #1 - Board Games
A casual, low-key evening of board games.
- Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: International Centre (1246 Lemarchant St.)
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Optional Activity #2 - Scavenger Hunt
Form teams, collect photos, and compete for prizes.
- Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Studley Quad (at the Flagpoles)
August 31
Note: International Graduate Students are invited to attend the Faculty of Grad Studies (FGS) orientation on August 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (registration required). Find out more on the FGS site.
Doors Open!
Enjoy tea, coffee, juice and breakfast snacks while you wait for first session to begin.
- Time: 9:00 a.m.
- Location: Irving Auditorium (G109), Sexton Campus, Morris Street entrance
-----
International Centre Welcome & Orientation Overview
Find out all you need to know for week one, month one, and semester one at Dal.
- Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Irving Auditorium (G109), Sexton Campus, Morris Street entrance
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
-----
International Centre Services & Immigration Info Session
Meet the International Centre's licensed Immigration Advisors.
- Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Irving Auditorium (G109), Sexton Campus, Morris Street entrance
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
-----
Session: "Staying Safe On & Off Campus"
Learn about Canadian laws, University policies, and on-campus safety services and supports.
- Time: 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.
- Location: “B” Building, Room #228, Sexton Campus
-----
Session: "Academic & Student Supports"
Learn about common academic challenges and available resources and supports for students.
- Time: 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.
- Location: “B” Building, Room #227, Sexton Campus
-----
Optional Activity #1 - Games in the Quad
Take part in fun outdoor games, such as spike ball and washer toss.
- Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Studley Quad
-----
Optional Activity #2 - Downtown Discovery Walk
Discover the sights, streets, and shops of downtown Halifax.
- Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Meet at the Sexton Campus parking lot (behind the Halifax Central Library).
-----
Session: "Health, Wellness & Student Insurance"
Learn about student health insurance coverage and benefits, plus university wellness and medical services.
- Time: 2:30 to 3:20 p.m.
- Location: “B” Building, Room #227, Sexton Campus
-----
Session: "Student Guide to Life in Halifax"
Learn about on- and off-campus essentials, including banking, phone, transportation, shopping, weather, and more.
- Time: 2:30 to 3:20 p.m.
- Location: “B” Building, Room #228, Sexton Campus
-----
Session: "Student Panel"
A panel of international students discusses challenges, surprises, and lessons learned coming to Dalhousie.
- Time: 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.
- Location: “B” Building, Room #227, Sexton Campus
-----
Optional Activity #1 - Trivia
Form teams and test your knowledge of Dalhousie, Halifax, Canada and the world. Win prizes!
- Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Lemarchant Place Atrium
-----
Optional Activity #2 - Halifax Waterfront Walk
Go for an evening walk along Halifax’s beautiful waterfront boardwalk.
- Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Meet at the Sexton Campus parking lot (behind the Halifax Central Library).
September 1
Exchange Student Orientation (for Exchange students only)
This session is for Exchange students only. Learn about courses, costs, and transfer credits.
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Lemarchant Place Atrium
-----
Doors Open!
Enjoy tea, coffee, juice and breakfast snacks while you wait for first session to begin.
- Time: 9:00 a.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
-----
International Centre Welcome & Orientation Overview
Find out all you need to know for week one, month one, and semester one at Dal.
- Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
-----
International Centre Services & Immigration Info Session
Meet the International Centre's licensed Immigration Advisors.
- Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building (6135 University Ave)
- Virtual event is also available on MS Teams
-----
Session: "Staying Safe On & Off Campus"
Learn about Canadian laws, University policies, and on-campus safety services and supports.
- Time: 1:30 to 2:20 p.m.
- Location: Lemarchant Place Atrium
- Virtual event also available on MS Teams
-----
Optional Activity #1 - Games in the Quad
Take part in fun outdoor games, such as spike ball and washer toss.
- Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Studley Quad
-----
Optional Activity #2 - Mini-Hike to Point Pleasant Park
Join other new students on a 7km round-trip walk to beautiful Point Pleasant Park, Halifax’s urban forest.
- Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Meet in front of the Killam Library
-----
Session: "Health, Wellness & Student Insurance"
Learn about student health insurance coverage and benefits, plus university wellness and medical services.
- Time: 2:30 to 3:20 p.m.
- Location: Lemarchant Place Atrium
- Virtual event also available on MS Teams
-----
Session: "Student Guide to Life in Halifax"
Learn about on- and off-campus essentials, including banking, phone, transportation, shopping, weather, and more.
- Time: 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.
- Location: Lemarchant Place Atrium
- Virtual event also available on MS Teams
Review additional important information available to you, and listed on the menu on the right side of this page, such as:
Questions?
For general orientation questions for all students, please contact Dalhousie’s New to Dal team at student.experience@dal.ca.