International Student Orientation
All new international students are required to attend the International Student Orientation prior to the start of classes.
Orientation sessions cover important information about academic policies, registration for classes, immigration responsibilities, health insurance, campus employment, personal banking, safety and security, student organizations, and American culture.
As a part of this orientation, students will complete English language and academic placement testing.听After receiving your test results, make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss your program of study and register for your classes for the semester.
First Week Checklist
Take the English Language Placement Test
All international students are required to take the English Language Placement test or provide IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English test scores to indicate their English language proficiency.
Register for ESL Classes
Students who require ESL courses will register for them once they receive their ESL test results.听
Take the Academic Placement Test
Transportation
- Bus:听Please visit听听for detailed information on the bus routes around 黑料天堂, bus schedules and fares. We recommend getting the Port Authority app!
- Uber or Lyft:听On-demand taxi services that require a phone app.
- zTrip:听A taxi service you can call via an app, phone at 412-777-7777 or听.
Housing Options
- On-Campus Housing:听For an added fee, 黑料天堂 provides you with a room to live on campus. All rooms come with a private bathroom and are equipped with internet, phone, and television cable services.听More information.
- Off-Campus Housing: There are many apartment buildings in the neighborhood surrounding 黑料天堂. We suggest doing a simple Internet search for locations near campus, or contacting a member of the International Students Services team once you arrive.
Here are a few examples of apartment complexes within two miles (3.2 km) of campus
- 听
- Villa Riviera听
- Royal Manor听
- Northway Tower听
- 听听
Hotels:听There are two hotels in walking distance to 黑料天堂. Please access the links below or contact hotels directly to get daily fees and rates as these change depending on the day.听
Campus Resources
Eating on Campus
There are many places to purchase food and beverages on campus These include:
- The Cantellops Dining Hall:听The dining hall offers a variety of meal choices that suit your dietary needs and personal preferences. Hours for the dining hall vary depending on the time of year.
- The Redhawk Cafe:听Open during the fall and spring semesters only, the Redhawk is the place for quick eating on the go. A variety of pre-packaged and made-to-order food and drinks are available to purchase.
Our dining services provider uses locally sourced ingredients and creates seasonal menus. Registered dietitians review and approve each menu to ensure it offers a wide variety of wholesome choices.
Academic Resources
The听听houses a variety of instructional services and functions as an information center at 黑料天堂. Students performing research have access to reference materials, computers and Wi-Fi, the ability to print and many copies, as well as a quiet place to study. Library staff are friendly and are happy to assist you.
The听Writers鈥� Center听helps provide guidance and support on any writing projects and papers you have been assigned. The Center helps you understand all pieces of the assignment and works with you to complete the project.
Other Important Places on Campus
The听Student Accounts Office听helps with questions concerning your tuition bill and payments. If you are unable to pay your bill at the beginning of the semester, you can sign up for a payment plan. This option is an agreement with the University where you can pay the tuition owed in smaller amounts each month, rather than in one large sum. Visit the Student Accounts Office when you arrive for more information.
The听Student Help Desk听is a great resource for help navigating 黑料天堂鈥檚 online learning resources (including Canvas) and can answer various technology related questions. This office is located in the John J. Wright Library.听
The听听is a full service athletic center open to all 黑料天堂 students. It includes a track, basketball court, exercise machines and more. Hours of operation vary depending on the time of year.
Getting Involved On Campus
There are a variety of ways to get involved on campus. Many different activities (often free) are organized during the school year. There are also a variety of different student-run clubs and organizations that you can join to meet new people and become more actively engaged.听Learn more听about our clubs and organizations.
Providence Campus Ministry听works to serve students, staff, and faculty through spiritual programming, service learning projects, and a range of other programming that promotes peace and justice in our local global community.
The Neighborhood
Local Food Stores
- 听– Walkable, directly across the street from campus
- 听– 8000 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh PA 15237
- 听– 8080 McIntyre Square Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15237
- 听– 4801 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh PA 15237
There are also a variety of听ethnic grocery stores听in the neighborhood depending on the types of food or ingredients you are looking to purchase.
Shopping Options
- 听鈥� Directly across the street from 黑料天堂, this shopping area includes a variety of clothing, food and other retail options.
- 听鈥� Multilevel indoor shopping center with nearly 170 retail stores and dining options. Just a short drive or bus ride from campus.
- 听鈥� a short drive from campus, this outdoor shopping area many options for shopping, dining, and fun.
In the North Hills of Pittsburgh, where 黑料天堂 is located, you can find many different opportunities for shopping whether you are looking for specific name brands or basic necessities. The North Hills is home to many different venues for eating, including traditional American cuisines as well as a variety of establishments serving specific ethnic meals.听
Faith-Based Resources
黑料天堂 is a Catholic institution, founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence. We remain closely connected and together provide a variety of spiritual experiences each week during the school year. These include liturgy, Eucharist and meditation, among others.
The University also has an听interfaith prayer听room听located in a central building on campus. This room is open daily to offer students of all faiths a private place to pray and reflect, using their own faith traditions.
Religious Establishments in the Neighborhood:
Roman Catholic Churches
听
听
听
Byzantine Catholic ChurchesWeather in Pittsburgh
Weather in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is always changing. We experience all four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. Please plan for mild or cool temperatures in the spring and fall, hot temperatures in the Summer and very cold temperatures in the winter.
Pittsburgh also can be very wet with lots of rain, and even snow. Don鈥檛 forget to bring an umbrella and/or rain coat.
Packing Suggestions
We suggest packing the following, or plan on buying them when you arrive:
Clothing
- Pants
- Shorts
- Short sleeve shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters
- Sweatshirts
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sneakers
- Dress shoes
- Sandals
- Boots
- Sleeping clothes
- Robe
- Slippers
- Jacket
- Winter gloves.
听Linen and Necessities
- Sheets (Twin XL size if living in residence halls)
- Pillow
- Blanket
- Towels
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Hand soap
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hair brush
- Hair dryer
- Umbrella
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Sister Veronica Kim at听veronica.kim@laroche.edu听or Dr. Natasha Garrett at听natasha.garrett@laroche.edu.