From: First-Year Experience Date: June 15 Subject: International & First-Gen at Colby
International & First-Gen Pre-Orientation - Welcome to Colby!
International Student Pre-Orientation
As an incoming international student (F-1 visa holder), participation in Pre-Orientation (Pre-O) is mandatory. Pre-O is designed to welcome international students to campus, help you get settled, and introduce you to the resources available to ensure you succeed at Colby.
Pre-O will take place Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2, and it will be followed directly by First-Year Orientation & COOT! International students may move into campus beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST on Monday, August 31. Please complete your registration (button below) by June 21 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
First-Generation/Low-Income (FLI) Program
Colby’s First-Generation-to-College/Low-Income Program for Student Success (FLI Program) is dedicated to supporting FLI students and their families throughout their Colby career. FLI offers a peer mentoring cohort model for first-year students to be matched with FLI second- through fourth-year students; a Pre-O prior to First-Year Orientation to support a successful transition; a set of workshops, co-curricular activities, and trips throughout all four years geared towards building community, reducing academic barriers, creating awareness, and highlighting the contributions of the FLI Family.
If you identify as a first-generation college student and/or a student from a low- or limited-income background, we invite you to complete the FLI Interest Form (via the button below) by June 21 at 11:59pm EST. Submitting the form is required for students who wish to participate in FLI Pre-Orientation, mentorship programs, or other FLI opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact us at fli@colby.edu.
Michael Freese, Associate Dean of International Students & FLI Advisor
Michael heads up the International Students Office, where he provides guidance and support around travel and visa compliance, as well as supporting student organizations dedicated to acculturation and the various diasporas represented at Colby. He's also your go-to point person for the FLI program until he welcomes a new director this fall!
Aura Moreno is here to answer all your visa questions! Be sure to speak with her when you're getting ready to drop a course, study abroad, take a gap year, or work on or off campus--she'll keep your visa in good status! Aura can also help you with CPT and OPT (if you don't know what those are, ask her)!
Karin Weston, Assistant Director of Student Wellness
Karin is a first-generation American who has worked at Colby for over 30 years! She manages the Student Success Fund, a resource for qualifying students who may need assistance with emergencies, loaner laptops, or winter clothes. You can learn more about the Success Fund here, or reach out to Karin for a meeting!
