To prepare you for your University experience, a New Student Orientation (NSO) is designed for all new students, both bachelor and master. Orientation programs are run by faculty, staff and student volunteers. It is an in-person, on-campus experience. The NSO program is required for all new students, as it contains crucial information that you will need to begin your classes.
MARCH & MAY 2023 (“Spring 2” and “Summer” intakes)
A one-day Orientation will take place on Thursday, March 16th for new students joining mid-semester and on Thursday, May 18th for those arriving for Summer (including Study Abroad). These are the Thursday before classes begin for the new terms, respectively.
9:30 – Undergraduate student ‘check-in’ for Orientation (program begins 10am).
Lunch will be included, and orientation will end by 16:00.
15:15 – Master student ‘check-in’ for Orientation (program begins 15:30, ends by 18:00)
Scroll below to learn about what activities & support are part of the Orientation programs.
AUGUST 2023 (for Fall Semester intake):
Undergraduate (Bachelor) Students
A mandatory Two-Day Orientation for all incoming students, first-time Freshmen and Transfers. These are held before the start of classes on Monday, August 21st.
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, August 16 – 17, 2023
Wednesday
9:15 – Registration desk opens (coffee, tea & croissants offered)
10:00 – Orientation Program begins (Part I)
12:30 – Lunch (offered)
16:00 – Final session
Thursday
9:15 – coffee, tea & croissants offered
10:00 – Orientation Program Continues (Part II)
13:00 – Lunch (offered)
15:00 – Orientation ends
PARENTS’ ORIENTATION
(one-day, optional, for bachelor students’ parents)
Wednesday, August 16th
9:15 – Registration desk opens (coffee, tea & croissants offered)
10:00 – Orientation Program begins (Part I)
13:00 – Lunch (offered)
15:00 – Orientation ends
Invitations to New Student Orientation will be sent by email from our Student Affairs team, to all who are deposited and confirmed to attend Webster University, about 8 weeks prior to the Orientation (or upon admission, thereafter). ALL new students are expected to register and attend.
Arrivals to Webster housing are generally the 48 hours before Orientation day, for those who have confirmed a place in our residence (housing will communicate directly with instructions for check-ins procedures, etc). A brief housing Orientation session will be arranged by our Assistant Residence Coordinators for student arrivals after they move into campus residences.
Master Students
A shorter program will be held for new Master students.
Thursday, August 17th
15:15 – 15:30
15:30 – Program begins in Living and Learning Center (Commons Room)
18:00 – Program ends (with optional apero)
New Arrivals from beyond Switzerland (relocating international students) are invited to campus earlier on Thursday, to attend important sessions about Swiss residence permits and health insurance documentation. Those who are in Geneva for Wednesday are also invited to the social gathering on Wednesday evening.
Orientation for New Local Master students (Swiss-based) begin around 16:00.
New Master student orientation is also mandatory.
Invitations to register for New Student Orientations will be sent by email from studentaffairs@webster.ch, approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the session (or upon admission).
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN ORIENTATION PROGRAMS?
At Orientation, you will
- Get to know classmates, faculty and staff
- Learn about Webster programs and policies
- Complete required forms for your Swiss residence permit and health insurance
- Obtain your books/study materials
- Secure your IT access to your course syllabi
- Learn about campus services—including Library, Career Services, etc
- Meet with your Academic Advisor
- Tour campus facilities and join an orientation tour of Geneva (optional, for international arrivals)
Late Arrivals (Bachelor)
If you will have to miss New Student Orientation due to a visa issue, health emergency or change in travel, you will miss critical information regarding the start of your classes. In this case, please respond to our Orientation invitation. Our Student Affairs team will guide you through a checklist of instructions and required steps after your arrival to campus.
Please note that class attendance to Webster classes is mandatory and part of your course grade (you will be responsible to make up any academic course work and/or assignments that you miss).