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Mandatory Orientation and Pre-Arrival Newsletters

Mandatory Orientation and Arrival Dates 

All newly admitted international students are required to attend several orientation sessions. Please see below for the specific requirements of your program.

During orientation sessions, the Office of Global & Experiential Education provides important information that will help international students adjust to campus life and access the many resources available to members of the GW community.

International students enrolled in a Specialized Master’s degree program must also attend the International Student Orientation hosted by the International Services Office (ISO) and any orientation session organized by their individual program.

Orientation Schedules

Orientation Schedule | Incoming Global MBA Students

Orientation Schedule | Incoming Global MBA (GMBA) Students

Global MBA (GMBA) International Runway and GMBA Runway are both mandatory parts of the GMBA program for F-1 and J-1 international students.

The 2025 GMBA International Student Runway will take place from July 28 - August 1, 2025. Students should plan to attend sessions from at least 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. each day. Agendas and additional information will follow in the coming weeks. For questions about the GMBA International Student Runway, please contact Global & Experiential Education at sbglobalatgwu [dot] edu.

The GMBA Runway will begin on August 4, 2025 and continue throughout the month of August. A detailed schedule will follow in the coming weeks. For questions about the GMBA Runway, please contact the GMBA Program Team.

Orientation Schedule | Incoming Accelerated MBA, Specialized Master’s, and Doctoral Students

Orientation Schedule | Incoming Accelerated MBA, Specialized Master’s, and Doctoral Students

Please contact your individual program for orientation dates:

Accelerated MBA | Master of Accountancy | Master of Accountancy in Accounting Analytics |  Master of Human Resource Management | Master of Science in Applied Finance | Master of Science in Business Analytics | Master of Science in Finance |  Master of Science in Information Systems Technology | Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Business Studies | Master of Science in International Business | Master of Science in Management | Master of Science in Marketing| Master of Science in Project Management | Master of Science in Sports Management | Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management | Doctoral Programs

In addition to your program orientation, the following two orientations are required of all international students in the Specialized Master’s, Accelerated MBA, and Doctoral programs:

  1. New International Student Orientation, hosted by the GW International Services Office (ISO) - Tuesday, August 19 from 10:00am-12:00pm (Virtual - the link to join the session will be sent in the registration confirmation email); Register for the Fall 2025 ISO Orientation here! For questions, email the ISO at isoatgwu [dot] edu.
  2. GWSB International Student Orientation, hosted by GWSB Global and Experiential Education (G&EE) - Tuesday, August 19 from 1:30-4:00pm (Funger Hall, 2201 G Street NW, Room 103); Register for the GWSB International Student Orientation here! For questions, email G&EE at sbglobalatgwu [dot] edu.

Pre-Arrival Q&A Session

All incoming Fall 2025 GWSB graduate international students are invited to join the Global & Experiential Education (G&EE) team and GWSB International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) for the Fall 2025 GWSB Pre-Arrival Q&A Session on Friday, July 11 from 9:00-10:00am Eastern Time. This session will be held on Zoom; the link to join the session will be sent to registrants in the registration confirmation email.

During this optional session you'll have the chance to ask questions, get advice on GW's processes and procedures, and connect with current GWSB international students to get their perspectives about life at GW. The Fall 2025 Pre-Arrival Q&A will start with a brief presentation, but the majority of the session will be dedicated to an open Q&A with Elisa Boyea, Program Manager for International Student Services at GWSB, and members of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). If you already have questions, you are welcome to submit them when you register for the session, but you can also ask questions live.

Register for the Fall 2025 Pre-Arrival Q&A Session here! For questions, please email G&EE at sbglobalatgwu [dot] edu.

Other Important Information

Early Arrival

Remember, you are allowed to enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20/DS-2019. It is recommended that you enter the U.S. at least two weeks prior to your orientation to give yourself time to acclimate to the city of Washington, D.C.

Health Insurance

Please note, as an F-1 or J-1 student, you are automatically enrolled in GW’s health insurance plan. For students beginning their studies in the Fall 2025 semester, insurance coverage begins August 12, 2025. Visit the GW Student Health Insurance Plan (GW SHIP) website for additional details.

Pre-Arrival Newsletters

In the weeks leading up to the start of the semester, G&EE distributes a weekly newsletter containing valuable information that may help facilitate your transition to our campus in Washington, D.C. Links to the Fall 2025 Global MBA and Accelerated MBA, Specialized Master's, and Doctoral Program Newsletters will be available on the dates listed below.

Remember to periodically revisit this page; the newsletters are updated as they are sent out each semester.

Accelerated MBA, Specialized Master’s, and Doctoral Program Newsletters

Global MBA Program Newsletters