New International Student Orientation (Center for Global Engagement)
At the CGE’s New International Student Orientation (required), you will learn about FSU’s campus resources, maintaining your immigration status, succeeding as a student at Florida State University, and living in Tallahassee. You will meet other new international students and learn important information to help you make friends and have a successful start at FSU.
This orientation is in addition to the CGE Arrival Confirmation, which you should do when you first arrive at FSU.
Note: The CGE New International Student Orientation is in addition to the FSU academic undergraduate orientation named “New Nole Orientation.” Contact FSU’s New Student and Family Programs office at orientation@fsu.edu for more information about orientation programs that are required for enrollment in classes.
Graduate students may have separate, additional orientations for their academic program and/or graduate assistantship. Please check with your academic department and/or assistantship supervisor for more information.
Spring 2026 Orientations
January 5, 2026: REQUIRED in-person CGE International Student Orientation for all new international students, including those transferring their immigration status from another U.S. institution and those who have recently changed their immigration status to F-1. Where: The Globe Building (110 S. Woodward Ave.), When: Check in starts at 1:30 p.m. Register by following these instructions:
- Login to Nole Start with your FSU credentials.
- Scroll down the page and click on the Newly Admitted Students link.
- Complete and submit the Orientation Registration form after completing all previously listed required forms under the Newly Admitted Students link.
January 6, 2026: REQUIRED in-person New Nole Orientation for undergraduates (Bachelors) only. Where: Student Union. When: Check-in starts at 7:30am. To register for New Nole, you must email orientation@fsu.edu as this session is currently reserved for international students who are outside the U.S. If you are in the U.S. in the fall, you should be able to sign up for New Nole sessions in November and December in the admissions portal.
- You will meet with an academic advisor during the New Nole Orientation and will need to register for courses immediately thereafter. (Students transferring from the FSU campus in the Republic of Panama may already have some course registration completed before New Nole orientation.)
- You must ensure that you have resolved all course registration holds before the January 6 New Nole orientation.
- Classes begin on January 7 and first-day class attendance is required.
Note that separate registration for each of the above orientations is required. Attendance will be recorded throughout each and course registration holds will be placed for those who do not check in and check out of the orientations as required. You will not be able to register for classes until your orientation holds (and any other registration holds you may have) are resolved. Do not schedule housing move-in, academic advisor appointments, immunization appointments, or other obligations during either of the required orientation sessions.
Graduate students (Masters and Doctoral) - Check with your admitting academic department regarding their orientation schedule. If separate advising appointments are being conducted with each student, ensure that your academic advising appointment does not conflict with the required CGE international student orientation.
Other FSU Orientations
New Undergraduate Student Orientation (New Students and Family Programs)
The Dean of Student’s New Students and Family Programs (NSFP) office provides a required New Undergraduate Student Orientation for all new undergraduate students, whether classified as First Time in College (FTIC), Lower-Division Transfer or Upper Division Transfer. During this orientation, you will learn about resources on FSU’s campus and meet with your academic advisor to register for classes. For more information and instructions for registering, go to their registration page.
Academic Department Orientations for New Graduate Students
Academic departments typically have their own orientations for new students each semester. If you have not already received information from your department, check with them about their new student orientation requirements.
New Graduate Student Orientation (The Graduate School)
Visit the Graduate School's New Graduate Student Orientation Website for more information.
Teaching Assistant Training
The Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) sponsors university-wide Teaching Assistant Orientation, in addition to other workshops and events throughout the year. Registration is required. Your academic department may also provide its own orientation session for teaching assistants.