Virtual reality (VR) applications have displayed remarkable development in the past two decades and have now been used vastly across the world for various educational purposes. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of a three dimensional (3D) desktop VR-based orientation for new online university students. The research study adopted a qualitative approach that employed a series of semi-structured interviews for the data collection. The data obtained from 76 students were carefully examined, and the thematic content analysis revealed that the 3D desktop virtual reality could serve as a good tool to host an online orientation for the incoming students and distance learners into the academic program. The study findings also provided the corresponding stakeholder with references for the development of activities within this kind of VR-based orientation.