International Student Welcome Days (IWD)
August 2023 IWD Dates
International Student Move - In: August 24, 2023
International Student Welcome Day Program: August 25 - 26, 2023
Students will join the New Student Orientation on Sunday, August 27, 2023.
A detailed schedule will be available on the Brandeis Campus Groups website the first week of August 2023.
The mission of International Student Welcome Days (IWD) is to partner with current students, staff and faculty to provide new undergraduate international students with a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive experience as they transition to life at Brandeis. Hosted annually in August, we invite international first year and transfer students, exchange students, and domestic students whose home address is outside of the U.S. to participate.
Held every August prior to New Student Orientation, IWD hosts sessions on immigration and academic success, offers the chance for new students to engage with their peers and campus partners, and provides the time, space, and resources needed to adjust to living in a new country. Participation is required for all F-1 and J-1 students and highly encouraged for all others.
Each year, current undergraduate students serve as iREPs on the International Student Welcome Committee. iREPs play an integral role in IWD by communicating and connecting with new students prior to arrival, developing social programming during IWD, and supporting students as they navigate resources on and off campus.
Meet your Fall 2023 International Welcome Committee Representatives (iREPs)!
What to Expect
During IWD, students will have the opportunity to connect with their fellow international students, as well as students who are on campus for Brandeis' Pre-Orientation Programs. While the schedule will be full, we also build in space to recover from jet-lag! Sessions and activities may include:
- Workshop on Maintaining Your F-1/J-1 Student Status
- Resource Fair with various departments on campus
- Lecture with a selected Brandeis Faculty member
- Opportunity to open a bank account and get a U.S. phone number
- Riverboat Cruise on the Charles River
- Trips to purchase essentials at a local store
- And more!
Housing
IWD participants are invited to move into their Brandeis housing on August 24, 2023. Information about move-in will be sent from the Department of Orientation/Department of Community Living (DCL).
Cost
IWD is free - there is no fee to attend!