International Orientation
Pre-Arrival & Orientation
Pre-Arrival Orientation for international students consists of a variety of videos, information and activities to help you prepare for your American adventure and is offered through the D2L system. Upon acceptance you will be sent your username and password.
On-Campus Orientation
In addition, we offer a short in-person orientation for international students prior to the start of classes each semester. Below is a general schedule of orientation.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
|
7:30pm |
Otero Airport Pick-up If you are driving or coming in at a different time, you will need to make arrangements to get to Otero. You may contact the Office to schedule a move in time between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
|
Placement Testing and Registration |
|
|
8:30 am |
Meet in the Wunsch Hall Lobby Bring your Passport. As students complete the test, we will advise, plan their course schedule and register them for classes, after which students can get their student ID, make a payment on their Otero bill, etc. |
|
Arkansas Valley Fair Parade Excursion |
|
|
8:30 am |
Meet in the Wunsch Hall Lobby McDivitt Gym Parking Lot If you have taken the ACCUPLACER and registered for your classes, you will join the Arkansas Valley Fair Parade! Make sure to wear good walking shoes! |
|
10:30am |
Represent Otero in the Parade! Pass out candy, schedules, wave your country’s flag! |
|
Lunch |
Brunch @ the Otero Food Court |
|
Special Sessions |
|
|
1:00 pm |
Jump Start! All student orientation program to familiarize you with campus and the MyOtero Portal. |
|
3:00 pm |
Taking Care of Business Take a trip to the bank to set up an account. |
|
5:00 pm |
Taking Care of Business | Shopping! Wal-mart/Dollar Tree/Game Stop retail area |
|
5:30 pm |
Dinner @ the Otero Food Court |
|
6:30 pm |
Bowling @ Eagle Lanes or Fair Visit |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
|
9:00 am |
Getting Started
|
|
Walking Tour of Downtown La Junta |
|
|
10:00 am |
Leave for Downtown La Junta on foot |
|
11:30 am |
Lunch @ Majestyk Pizza Downtown |
|
12:30 pm |
Return to Otero Campus |
|
Special Sessions in Humanities 112 |
|
|
1:30 pm |
Academic Matters |
|
2:30 pm |
Immigration |
|
3:30 pm |
Culture & Diversity |
|
4:30 pm |
Shopping Trip II |
|
6:30 pm |
Bowling @ Eagle Lanes or Fair Visit |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
|
10:00 am |
JumpStart Orientation |
|
12:00 pm |
Family Lunch & Opportunities Fair in the |
|
4:00 pm |
For anyone else who misses orientation, this is a bare bones course. |
|
6:00 pm |
Student BBQ (generally this means hamburgers and hot dogs) |
Airport Runs
Airport Runs at the end of semester in the fall will be the day after the last day of finals and in the spring the day after graduation.
The bus or van will leave Otero at 6:00 am arriving at Denver International Airport between 9:30 and 10:00 am. Please keep this in mind and book your flight to leave after 12 noon. If you have to book a flight that leaves earlier, book it for the day after the airport run and stay over in Denver so that you can make your flight.
| Students | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Season International Athletes | August 1, 2021 | 7:30 pm |
| New International Students | August 13, 2021 | 7:30 pm |
| Returning International Students | August 15, 2021 | 7:30 pm |
| New International Students | January 7, 2022 | 7:30 pm |
| Returning International Students | January 9, 2022 | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| December TBA, 2021 | Arrives at Airport @ 9:30/10:00 am |
| May TBA, 2022 | Arrives at Airport @ 9:30/10:00 am |
If you are unable to get a flight that arrives at the scheduled Otero International Pick-up/Drop-off times, you will need to find another means of getting to La Junta. Here are some options that you might want to consider.
- From Denver International Airport via Greyhound Bus
- From Albuquerque Sunport Airport (ABQ) via AMTRAK Train
- From Kansas City International Airport (MCI) via AMTRAK Train
- From Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) via AMTRAK Train
- From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via AMTRAK Train
Public transportation/Taxi Services are not available in Rocky Ford at the Bus Stop or in La Junta at the AMTRAK station at potential arrival times. You will need to contact the International Relations Office, coaches or friends for transportation from these stops to Otero College. Please make these arrangements in advance of your arrival.
These are cost estimates only. Actual costs may be different.