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International Wildcat Welcome

Northwestern's Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) provides resources, support, and programs to assist you as you transition to life at Northwestern and the United States.

International Wildcat Welcome (IWW) Overview

The Wildcat Welcome experience begins with a track designed for incoming international students: International Wildcat Welcome (IWW). Presented by Northwestern's Office of International Student and Scholar Services, IWW will provide international students with essential information and advice on such matters as immigration and acclimating to US academic culture and life in Evanston. 

Program Dates

Who Participates in IWW?

IWW in-person programming is required for those with F-1/J-1 visas.

Undergraduate students who identify as US citizens living abroad or those who hold other visa types are welcome to participate in IWW social events if you believe it would be useful to your transition. If interested, please register through the Wildcat Welcome Registration Form, due July 15, located in your Purple Prep Checklist.  

Move-in Day for IWW students

Undergraduate students participating in IWW move into their campus residence on September 7. University-provided transportation to campus (known as "airport pickup") will be available on September 7. While domestic students moving to campus on September 9 are asked to select a move-in appointment, you do not need to select an appointment as you are required to move to campus on September 7. More information regarding IWW Move-In Day and airport pick up will come from the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

IWW Programming

Students will first receive important information about arrival, travel, and immigration status from OISS once they are invited to the OISS portal. Students then move to campus on September 7 to participate in the in-person portion of IWW before joining the full incoming class for Wildcat Welcome. IWW programming will cover many essential topics such as 

International Peer Adviser (IPA)

International peer advisers are current students who will assist you in navigating the transition to life at Northwestern and in the United States; you will have an IPA in addition to your peer adviser (PA) for Wildcat Welcome. During the summer, your IPA will reach out to you to share information and answer any questions you may have as you prepare to come to the United States; you will also hear from your PA in late July, or late August for Weinberg students, as part of the orientation process for all new students.

Request your I-20/DS-2019 as soon as possible

Visit the OISS website to review the steps and requirements for new international students, including how to prepare to request your immigration documents prior to obtaining your student visa at a US consulate. Request your immigration document (Form I-20 for F-1 international students or DS-2019 for J-1 international students) in the OISS Portal after you have received your OISS Portal invitation email.

After you receive your OISS Portal invitation email, please submit your immigration document request as soon as possible to allow yourself the most time to obtain your visa and arrange travel plans.

Summer Communications

Students will register for IWW by completing the international student portion of the Wildcat Welcome Registration Form and then be assigned to an international peer adviser (IPA) group. Please participate in our New to NU series. During the summer, your IPA will reach out to you to share information and answer any questions you may have as you prepare to come to the United States; you will also hear from your PA in late July or early August as part of the orientation process for all new students.