Orientation Details

Pre-Departure Orientation: the three-step process

In order to fully prepare you for your upcoming journey and allow you to make the most of your time abroad, we've developed a three-part orientation process that will guide you through everything that you need to do and know before you go. Through this process, you'll get detailed information on what you can expect from your program and what we expect of you. It may seem like a lot, but we've found this process to be the best way of making pre-departure orientation as painless as possible - and remember, you'll be required to complete all three components of the orientation process before beginning your program.

Step 1: The Global Studies Blackboard Course

Once you've confirmed your enrollment in a Global Studies program, you'll automatically be enrolled in the Global Studies Orientation Blackboard Course. This course will guide you through a step-by-step explanation of all of the most important elements of pre-departure preparation, including health and safety, student conduct, academic expectations and more.

You can access the Blackboard course by visiting the Blackboard Login Portal. Log in using your St. John’s Central login information (username is your email address, minus the “@stjohns.edu” part, password is your 6-digit pin), and click the link for “Global Studies Orientation” under “My Courses.” From there, just follow the instructions provided within the course! In order to complete the blackboard portion of orientation, you’ll have to view each of the five presentations included in the course, then complete a short quiz after each one. You must score 100% on each quiz in order to complete the course, but don’t worry, you can take the quizzes as many times as you need. The recommended deadline to complete the course is Saturday, April 28 (the date of the Send-Off Soiree) but all students must complete the course before their departure date.

Step 2: Pre-Departure Advisement Sessions

So you've gone through the Global Studies Blackboard course and you're familiar with the basics of preparing for life abroad. Now it's time to meet with a Global Studies New York staff member, along with 3-5 of your fellow travelers, to discuss what comes next. This 45-minute meeting will allow us to fill you in on some of the day-to-day details of life abroad, as well as answer any questions that you may have. To schedule an appointment for your advisement session, contact our office.

Fall 2012 Advisement Sessions:

Queens Campus

April 2 - May 31, 2012
Monday - Friday
9am, 10am, 1pm and 2pm*

*The following sessions will be open to Summer 2012 students only:
Mondays at 9am
Tuesdays at 10am
Wednesdays at 1pm
Thursdays at 2 pm

Staten Island Campus

April 2 - May 10, 2012
Mondays and Tuesdays
10am and 1pm

Step 3: The Global Studies Send-Off

By this time, you should be ready to board the plane. This is the least formal part of your orientation, but no less important. At the send-off, we'll give you a brief presentation on arrival details, as well as some general information on the cities you'll be visiting. We'll also have door prizes (including travel vouchers that can be used during your time abroad) and some free food and drinks. Most importantly, you'll get a chance to meet and mingle with all of the people you'll be living and learning with over the course of your upcoming program.

Fall 2012 Programs Send-Off:

Saturday, April 28
1pm - 4pm
Marillac Terrace


Given that these sessions are mandatory, if you are not able to attend one of the scheduled events, it is your responsibility to contact us 
and inform us of the reason for your absence. You will also need to attend a make-up pre-departure orientation. The schedule for these will be available closer to the date of departure.


Parent Pre-Departure Orientations (RSVP Required, please contact us):

Queens Campus: 

Tuesday, April 10, 6-8pm
Bent Hall 277A

Thursday, April 12, 6-8pm
Bent Hall 277A

Saturday, April 21, 3-5pm
Bent Hall 277A

Tuesday, April 24, 1-3pm
Online (please email globalstudies@stjohns.edu to RSVP for this session. You will be emailed the webinar login instructions Monday, April 23). 

Staten Island Campus:

Tuesday, March 20, 6-8pm
Rosati Hall Commons