Arrival Checklist
Dates
Orientation
Orientation will be held on Thursday & Friday, August 21st & 22nd, 2025. All New international students are REQUIRED to attend orientation. You should plan to arrive on Wednesday, August 20th or before to get settled into your housing before orientation.
Location
Ballroom B, Memorial Union Upper Level
Schedule
The Spring January 2026 orientation schedule will be announced in December.
First Day of Classes
Fall 2025 classes begin Monday, August 25th at 4pm.
Click this link for other important dates & deadlines.
Planning your Travel
Fargo Airport
Students can arrive at Hector International Airport in Fargo: https://www.fargoairport.com (Airport code: FAR)
You will NOT go through Customs at the Fargo airport upon leaving the plane. You will go through Customs at your first port of entry to the United States. The Fargo airport is not large, so once you depart your plane, the baggage claim is only a minute or two away.
Weather + Winter information
Before you depart for Fargo, please watch the weather forecast for your arrival date and dress appropriately.
If you are arriving in the summer or early fall, the weather can be warm and pleasant, or very hot. Fall can also be cool, so a light jacket is recommended.
If you are arriving in winter, the weather can be very cold with snow, so be prepared with a coat/jacket, hat, gloves, and warm shoes. To learn more and better prepare 
click here.
Weather Channel: Current 4-day forecast for Fargo, ND (zip code 58102 for North Fargo)
Accommodations
If you are arriving before your on-campus housing is available, you may need to stay temporarily in a hotel. Some hotels in Fargo offer complimentary shuttles and/or meals. Shuttle services may include drop-off at NDSU, please ask about this service when booking your hotel. View the following websites for information on hotels options:
https://www.fargomoorhead.org/stay/
Navigating Campus
NDSU campus map and building directory
Transit (MATBUS)
Campus Parking
Other Important Information
Housing
If you have been admitted and need to apply for on-campus housing, apply here.
Click here for important academic dates and deadlines for the upcoming semester/academic years: Dates & Deadlines
NDSU Bookstore & Course Materials
The NDSU Bookstore is your one-stop-shop for course materials. For more information visit http://www.ndsubookstore.com/coursematerials.
NDSU Student Card
The NDSU Cardis required for many of your day-to-day activities at NDSU. When you arrive at NDSU, you will receive your ID at the NDSU Card Center. For more information, check out their website: https://www.ndsu.edu/it/help/card_center/
Immunization Screening Appointment
All new international students are required to complete an immunization screening appointment through the NDSU Student Health Service. Click here for more information.
Health Insurance
All students are required to purchase university approved health insurance. Every year, the health insurance through UnitedHealthcare StudentResources begins August 16th for Fall entry, January 1st for Spring entry, and mid-May for Summer entry. You can find more detailed information on this page.
Meeting New People
Getting involved on-campus is a GREAT way to meet new people. If you want to reach out to different student organizations at NDSU, you can learn about the student organizations and associations on campus here: https://myndsu.ndsu.edu.
Fun things to do in Fargo
Want to know about fun things to do in Fargo? Check out the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor's Bureau website for events and things to do in the community year-round: https://www.fargomoorhead.org/things-to-do.
Contact
Contact your international advisor at NDSU.ISS@ndsu.edu.
Pre-Arrival Email Announcements
If you are not receiving email announcements from our office about arrival and orientation details a month before the semester begins, please email us at NDSU.iss@ndsu.edu and we will ensure you are added to our email list.
Please note: Before the semester begins, we will use your personal email address for sending out information about arrival and orientation. The personal address we use is the one that you used when you created your online admission application to NDSU.