SLU-Madrid Welcomes New and Returning Students

08/20/2019

Orientation activities for new permanent students (first-year and transfer) will begin on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m. (map). New students will join student life staff and our student leaders, called Campus Ambassadors, at the scenic Guadarrama Mountains for the mandatory Welcome Days trip. This orientation program, complete with a talent show, information sessions and time for sports and games, will take place at the Fray Luis de León Cultural Complex, a residential facility that hosts religious, cultural and recreational events.

If your family will be dropping you off on campus on Sept. 1, there will be coffee, snacks and staff to welcome them. Your family can also take a tour with an admissions counselor by meeting at the reception desk in San Ignacio Hall at 12 p.m.

Study abroad students who arrive at Terminal 4 of the Madrid Barajas Airport on Monday, Sept. 2, will be greeted by the admissions staff. Host-family housing opens for all students after 8 a.m. that day. The Welcome Sessions for study abroad students will take place on campus on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 2:30 p.m.

SLU-Madrid buzzes with activities as students meet the faculty and settle into their fall semester routine. Campus Ambassadors give tours of the neighborhood near campus as well as downtown Madrid. They also help students discover Madrid's tapas culture in the evenings. On the weekends, both new and returning students can learn about Spain's history and culture through University-sponsored excursions to the Monasterio de Piedra, Toledo, Salamanca and Segovia.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit, a tradition among Jesuit universities since 1548, is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11. People of all faiths are welcome to celebrate the opening of the academic year as the SLU-Madrid community prays for God's wisdom and guidance.

You can read about upcoming events on the campus life calendar.

Important dates to keep in mind:

Sunday, Sept. 1

12:00 p.m.: New first-year and transfer student departure for Welcome Weekend

Tuesday, Sept. 3

12:00 p.m.: Convocation
2:30 p.m.: Study Abroad Welcome Sessions

Wednesday, Sept. 4

First day of classes
2:00 p.m.: U.S. Embassy presentation
7:00 p.m.: City tour and tapas night

Thursday, Sept. 5

11:00 a.m.: Activities fair
2:00 p.m.: U.S. Embassy presentation
7:00 p.m.: City tour and tapas night

Saturday, Sept. 7

8:30 a.m.: Day trip to Monasterio de Piedra

Sunday, Sept. 8

9:00 a.m.: Day trip to Toledo
6:00 p.m.: First on-campus mass of the semester

Wednesday, Sept. 11

12:00 p.m.: Mass of the Holy Spirit

Saturday, Sept. 14

8:30 a.m.: Day trip to Salamanca

Sunday, Sept.15

9:00 a.m.: Day trip to Segovia