Orientation
Each new term, prior to move-in days, the Center for International Education hosts an orientation for international students. Participants are welcomed to campus, assisted in practical tasks such as purchasing items for your residence hall and opening bank accounts. They are also introduced to other international students, as well as Rider staff members and administrators. Social events, outings, and other activities are also organized during orientation. 

In order to attend the International Student Orientation, the earliest you may arrive on campus and move into your room is check-in day. See the ELI Schedule below to know when you can check-in. Important: If you intend to arrive at Rider earlier than the scheduled check-in day, you will need to seek alternate accommodations as you will not be able to move into your room on campus. Please refer to the hotel listings. 

ELI Schedule for 2013

Housing
ELI students will have the opportunity to live in the new ELI building in Centennial Hall beginning the fall of 2012.  This residence hall offers non-en-suite doubles, including laundry, kitchen facilities and a large social lounge area.

Living in the residence halls has many benefits for international students.  The residence halls are conveniently located near all facilities, classrooms, and offices.  Here students can share experiences across cultures, improve their foreign language skills, and participate in and organize events that highlight their cultures.

Meals
All Rider students can enjoy all-you-can-eat dining in Daly’s dining hall as well as Cranberry’s Cafe and the Starbucks on campus.

For information on meal plans for both residents and commuters, menus, locations, hours, please visit the Rider University Dining Services page at http://rider.campusdish.com

Transportation
Public transportation is always available by train or bus for Rider students looking to travel easily to New York or Philadelphia as well as up and down the East Coast.  For more local options, students can use the free shuttle between the Lawrenceville and Princeton campuses or the public bus, in addition to the opportunity to rent a car on campus.

Arrival Information
If you are arriving at Newark or JFK airports and living on campus, you can send us your request for airport pick up by completing the Airport Pick-Up Request Form. There is USD 50 for this service. Download the Airport Pick Up form.  After completing the form you should email it to cie@rider.edu.  We can only guarantee your airport pick up if you send this form back to us. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your request.

If you decide not to request airport pick up you will have to make your own travel arrangements to get to the campus.

Students are expected to arrive on campus a few days prior to the beginning of the semester. Please check the orientation schedule to know when to arrive.

Health Insurance Coverage
It is a New Jersey state law that all undergraduate students attending a University must have proof of health insurance coverage.  All international students are automatically billed for health insurance available through Rider University.  If you have insurance coverage similar to what Rider offers, you can bring a copy of your insurance policy, in English, to the Center for International Education’s office.

If your existing coverage is found to be comparable, a copy of your insurance policy will be made and you will be asked to sign a waiver for the insurance offered through Rider University. All waiver requests must be brought to the CIE office by the second week of classes.  All charges for insurance will be removed from your student bill if your insurance fee has been waived.

If you have any questions concerning our health insurance policy, please feel free to review the plan.

Immunizations & Health Forms
It is mandatory that all health forms be filled out by your physician prior to your arrival at Rider. Download the Student Health Record Form and download the Meningitis Vaccine Reporting Form.

After the Student Health Record form and the Meningitis Vaccine Reporting Form are completed by your physician, email them to the Center for International Education office at cie@rider.edu. Submission of these forms is a pre-requisite to registration for classes.

If you are unable to receive the required vaccines in your home country, you can receive them at our Student Health Services office. There will be a fee is associated for each vaccine you take. Nurses and nurse practitioners are available to help meet your medical needs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday on the Lawrenceville campus.