Arrival and Orientation

The London First-Year Experience begins with a 3-day orientation on the Saratoga Springs, NY campus. Students will then travel, as a group, to London and continue orientation activities in London prior to the start of classes. The London FYE orientation is mandatory for all students except international students living outside the United States.

Orientation Arrival Day  

Fall 2024: Monday, August 19, 2024

All London students should plan to arrive on campus on between 9:00-11:30 am on arrival day to check into the designated residence hall for the London FYE orientation. Orientation activities will begin promptly at 12:00 pm with a welcome lunch for students and their families. Students are not permitted to arrive early except in rare circumstances and these requests must be approved by Off-Campus Study & Exchanges in advance. 

Once available, a tentative orientation schedule will be posted on Skidmore's main orientation website. 

International Students

Due to visa and immigration issues, international students are excused from attending the orientation on the Skidmore College campus in Saratoga Springs, NY and are permitted to arrive directly in London.  

International students not attending the orientation in Saratoga Springs, NY should arrive in London on Monday, August 19, 2024. We will hold a special orientation in London from August 20-21 for international students not attending the campus orientation. Once the rest of the students arrive in London on Thursday, August 22nd, orientation activities will continue for all students on the program from August 22-26. 

London FYE Family Orientation

For those parents and/or family accompanying their students to London orientation on campus, there will also be a family orientation on the Skidmore campus on the first day of orientation (Monday only) from 12:00-5:30 pm. The family orientation is not required, but we hope that any parents and family accompanying their student to campus will join us.

Please note that August in Saratoga Springs is extremely busy due to the summer racing season at the Saratoga Race Track, and if you need to spend the night, it is best to plan ahead. There is a list of local accommodations located at http://www.saratoga.org/. All students will be provided with on-campus housing during orientation in Saratoga Springs, NY including bedding and meals.

Questions regarding the London FYE orientation or arrival day should be directed to Kendra Nelson, London FYE Program Manager in Skidmore's Off-Campus Study & Exchanges, at knelson1@egitimmalta.com or +1-518-580-5355.

This page was updated on December 6, 2023.