Welcome Week

ISA Welcome Week 2025

International Student Affairs hosts an annual Welcome Week. Welcome Week takes place during the week before all-student orientation and focuses on cultural adjustment, community building, and immigration regulations. This is strongly encouraged for incoming F-1 and J-1 international students, but it is open to all incoming DePauw students.

For the class of 2029, Welcome Week arrival day begins on Tuesday, August 12th. Immediately followed by a 3 day-program from August 13th - 15th

During Welcome Week, you will:

Complete important paperwork for your F-1 Visa status and learn immigration rules
Open a US bank account (if needed) and visit a local store for dorm supplies
Learn about classroom expectations in a U.S. cultural context
Meet peers, make friends, and learn about campus community and resources

Every student is assigned to an “Ambassador group,” led by a returning student “Ambassador” (Welcome Week Leader). Ambassadors contact their first-year students via their DePauw email in July. Learn more about them at the Ambassador page.

Before your arrival, be sure to complete the steps in the Getting Started Pages.

(Each of these should accordion below)

Arrival (Tuesday, August 12th)

Welcome Week arrival day is on Tuesday, August 12th, 2025. Late arrivals are not allowed. It is strongly recommended that new F-1 students attend the full duration of Welcome Week.

Participating students should complete the travel form sent to them via email over the summer and report their flight information. Due in early July.

Shuttle Transportation (Tuesday, August 12th)

On Arrival Day (Aug. 12, 2025), International Student Affairs will offer shuttles from Indianapolis Airport departing at:

11 am
3 pm
6 pm

Lodging

Welcome Week students automatically get permission to move into their residence hall on Tuesday, August 12th, for arrival day. During check-in at Jordan Hall (between 9 am - 9 pm), housing and residence staff will hand out room keys.

Information for Welcome Week Guests

Guests are welcome to accompany their students to campus, but they must arrange their own lodging at the DePauw Inn or elsewhere.

Only students are permitted to attend Welcome Week, but guests are invited to a “Family Reception” on Wednesday, August 13th from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm in the Roy O West Library, Wood Study with International Student Affairs and International Recruitment staff.