Greetings from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University!
Over the next few months we will send you weekly emails
to help you plan for your arrival to Ohio State. In the meantime, please explore ourwebsite, and you are always welcome to email us at iss@osu.edu.
Have a wonderful summer and we look forward to meeting you this fall!
Register for Immigration Check-In
The Office of International Affairs encourages all students to arrive 2 - 3 weeks before the start of classes on Tuesday, August 22.
Students who arrive early will have better course availability, more time to explore Columbus and more opportunities to meet other students.
If you arrive to campus before early arrival housing is available, or if you do not plan on signing a housing contract, there are temporary options to use while you search for permanent housing.
Reduced Rates at Fairfield Inn & Suites
The Fairfield Inn & Suites offers discounted rates to Ohio State students. To book a room with this special rate, click here. Amenities include:
Located 1.5 miles from Ohio State campus with complimentary shuttle
Complimentary hot breakfast
Free shuttle within 5 mile radius
Indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness center
Newly renovated
Additional Options
There are many living options near Ohio State's campus. You can find a list of university hotel partners on the University Hospitality District website.
Make Transportation Arrangements
Ohio State's main campus is located less than 10 miles from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), and taxi service from the airport to campus is relatively quick and inexpensive.
The Office of International Affairs will have vouchers for a one-time free ride to Ohio State campus from Yellow Cab, a taxi company.
You can pick up a voucher at the Welcome Booth when you arrive in Columbus. The Welcome Booth will be located by the baggage claim area. Follow signs for the Welcome Booth and look for an Ohio State banner and volunteers dressed in Ohio State t-shirts.
The Welcome Booth will be open every day from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m., July 29 - August 20. If you plan to arrive outside of these hours, please contact iss@osu.edu to get instructions on an alternate method of receiving these vouchers.
After picking up your taxi vouchers from the Welcome Booth, follow signs for taxis when you land at the airport and wait for the cab you ordered at the Taxi Line and look for a Yellow Cab taxi. When you provide the driver with address, please note that it has to be in the Ohio State campus, or else the free offer is invalid.
Alternatively, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), operates a bus that runs from the airport to campus on select days. For more information and to see if this bus will run on the day you arrive in Ohio, please visit the COTA website.
Orientation Events and Activities
We can't wait for you to arrive on campus! We've planned activities around Columbus to introduce you to your new city including:
Group dinners at popular Columbus restaurants like Schmidt's
Tours of Columbus neighborhoods
Sign-ups for all events will be available at immigration check-in. Space is limited for some events, so plan on arriving to campus early to guarantee a spot.
The group will post about events happening during orientation, and you can meet and chat with your fellow new Buckeyes!
Looking For More Information?
Visit our website to review information from previous emails and/or answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu.
We are looking forward to seeing you here in Columbus! Please allow us to join the other offices on campus in congratulating you on your acceptance to The Ohio State University.
