Welcome!

The Office of Student Life, Campus Ambassadors and the entire SLU-Madrid community are excited to welcome you to campus this fall with orientation events! While orientation is not required, it is strongly encouraged. You never know where you might make a lifelong friend.

• Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31: Student Life will host walking tours, a tapas tour and more. Keep an eye out for more information via email and Raftr later this summer on how to sign up.
• Monday, Sept. 1: Orientation day! Save this day for us. We will host all first-year and transfer students on campus for welcome sessions where you can learn more about life at SLU-Madrid, what services are available to you, and you will learn more about your academic life from a professor. 
  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Check in at San Ignacio Hall (Calle Amapolas, 3) to pick up your welcome bag, student ID and Sanitas insurance card
  • 12:30-5:15 p.m. — Welcome sessions
  • 5:30 p.m. — Leaving on a bus for an evening social event
  • 6-10 p.m. — CityPlay social event with your fellow students! You're free to leave from the venue any time. Buses bring you here but you will navigate home on your own. Campus Ambassadors and SLU-Madrid staff will be there to help. 
• Tuesday, Sept. 2: We will keep the fun going with more walking tours hosted by our Campus Ambassadors.
• Wednesday, Sept. 3: First day of classes! No orientation activities this day as you will be in class. We might do a little something fun though, like first day of school pictures. Stay tuned. 
• Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7: Every semester, we do day trips on the first weekend. Locations have included Monasterio de Piedra, Segovia, Toledo and El Escorial.  You can view the trip details and sign up for them here.
• Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14: More day trips. Sign up here!
• Wednesday, Sept. 10: The U.S. Embassy visits SLU-Madrid during the first few weeks of the semester to do a safety briefing that is required for all students who are U.S. citizens. Watch for more information about that visit.
• Wednesday, Sept. 10: Activities Fair! Come meet leaders of SLU-Madrid's 40+ student clubs to see how you might want to get involved. You can also meet some community organizers from different non-profit groups you migth want to volunteer with. 
• To be determined: Additionally, Student Life will also host at least one residency card (TIE) workshop where students can learn about the process of getting their first card. Make sure you check your email for details on the dates/times!

Host family move-in: Starting Monday, Sept. 1, students living with host families can move in. Contact housing-madrid@slu.edu if you have any concerns about timing. If you arrive after Sept. 1, do not stress. Just be sure to communicate with the housing coordinator and your host family so they know when to expect you.

Raftr: The Admissions team and Student Life will inform you through email and Raftr about things you need to know before starting the semester. Join the Raftr community if you haven't already. Contact admissions-madrid@slu.edu for your code.

We are so excited to welcome you for your study abroad experience at SLU-Madrid! To make your time abroad a little easier, we host a series of welcome events that we would love to see you at.

• Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31: Student Life will host walking tours, a tapas tour and more. Keep an eye out for more information via email and Raftr later this summer on how to sign up.
• Monday, Sept. 1: Host family move in. Students who are living with host families can move in! Please contact housing-madrid@slu.edu if you have any concerns about timing. If you arrive after Sept. 1, do not stress. Just be sure you communicate with the housing coordinator and your host family so they know when to expect you.
• Tuesday, Sept. 2: Orientation day! Save this afternoon for us. We will host welcome sessions where you can learn more about life at SLU-Madrid, what services are here for you, and you will learn more about academic expectations from a professor.
  • 2-3 p.m.: Check in at San Ignacio Hall (Calle Amapolas, 3) to pick up your student ID and Sanitas insurance card
  • 3-5 p.m.: Welcome sessions (After this, you're free to go enjoy your evening!)
• Wednesday, Sept. 3: First day of classes! No orientation activities, as you will be in class.
• Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7: Every semester, we do day trips on the first weekend. Locations have included Monasterio de Piedra, Segovia, Toledo and El Escorial.  You can view the trip details and sign up for them here.
• Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14: More day trips!  Sign up here!
• Wednesday, Sept. 10: The U.S. Embassy visits SLU-Madrid during the first few weeks of the semester to do a safety briefing that is required for all students who are U.S. citizens. Watch for more information about that visit.
• Wednesday, Sept. 10: Activities Fair! Come meet leaders of SLU-Madrid's 40+ student clubs to see how you might want to get involved. You can also meet some community organizers from different non-profit groups you might want to volunteer with. 

Partner programs: Students studying abroad from partner programs like the University of Delaware World Scholars and Northeastern University's N.U.in program will have different orientation schedules and should contact their program coordinators with questions.

We love hosting families who are eager to learn more about their student's life at SLU-Madrid.

Please encourage your student to share orientation emails with you so you are updated on scheduling as we get closer to the date. We plan to host a special orientation for parents and families on Monday, Sept. 1.

• 3 p.m.: We will meet at San Ignacio Hall (Calle Amapolas, 3) for a tour
• 4 p.m.: Orientation! You will get to learn what your students are hearing about their new academic and social life in Madrid! The session will be offered in English, Spanish and French in different rooms. 
• 5:30 p.m.: Cocktail reception for parents and families only! This is a great opportunity to connect with other families who you might have virtually met over Raftr. Staff will also be around to mingle and answer any questions you may have. 

Raftr: The Admissions team and Student Life will inform your students about things they need to know before starting the semester through email and Raftr. There is a separate parent and family community on Raftr where families can connect and ask questions. Join Raftr using code "SLUFamilies2025."