Welcome Week

ISA Welcome Week 2026

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 arriving in August, Welcome Week arrival day begins on Tuesday, August 11th. Immediately followed by a 3 day-program from August 12th-14th.

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.

Arrival (Tuesday, August 11)

Welcome Week arrival day is on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. 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 11)

On Arrival Day (Aug. 11, 2026), International Student Affairs will offer shuttles from Indianapolis Airport. Complete the travel form to learn more information.

Lodging

Welcome Week students automatically get permission to move into their residence hall on Tuesday, August 11th, for arrival day. During check-in at Jordan Hall (between 9 am - 9 pm), housing and residence staff will hand out room keys.

Welcome Week Charges

To help defray the cost of Welcome Week, including the cost of bedding, students participating will be charged a cost of $125. This amount contributes to the overall costs of shuttles, meals, bedding, and more.

All students participating in ISA Welcome Week will receive a charge of $125 posted to their student account early in the Fall Semester.