5 Student-Guardian Orientation
Orientation is mandatory for all participants, their parents/guardians, and program instructors. It is held in the Whittenberger Auditorium inside the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU), (900 E. Seventh St., Bloomington, IN 47405) on the IU Bloomington campus. Check-in begins at 9 am EDT, and the event ends at 4 pm EDT. Coffee, juice, and pastries will be served beginning at 8:30 am.
The 2024 Student-Guardian Orientation will be on Sunday, April 21st.
Orientation is considered the first official day of the program, and its purpose is to acquaint students and parents/guardians with:
- Program procedures, policies, and expectations
- Program Instructors
- Fellow Participants
- Office Staff
- The host culture and its norms
- Preparation and travel instructions
- Health and safety information.
What to Bring to Orientation
Students will receive a variety of items and materials related to their participation in the program at Orientation. For this reason, we ask students to BRING A BACKPACK! Students and parents/guardians will also want to bring a notebook and a writing utensil so they can take notes throughout the day and write down any questions they might have.
Students must also bring a SACK LUNCH to Orientation, because they will eat together with their peers and instructors picnic style, either inside the Indiana Memorial Union or, if the weather is nice, possibly outdoors on campus. Parents and guardians will eat lunch at a local restaurant of their choosing; there are several inside the IMU and many others nearby in downtown Bloomington.
Materials and Items Distributed at Orientation
During check-in at Orientation, students receive their IUHPFL t-shirt, which they can wear during Orientation if they wish. They will be required to wear the t-shirt to the airport on Departure Day, during some excursions, and on Return [to the U.S.] Day.
Additionally, students will receive a hard copy of this handbook and their course materials pertaining to the subjects they will study during the program: Grammar, Literature, Linguistics, and Communication & Culture. There might also be supplemental materials related to excursions and Afternoon Activities, depending on how their Instructor Team decides to share this information with them.