My Welcome Week Experience

I can clearly recall receiving my offer of admission to the Drexel Global Scholar Program on a calm and clear night at 2:00 a.m. in Pakistan. My siblings and I jumped in excitement while trying our best not to wake up our neighbors. Before I knew it, I was on a 20-hour flight traveling over 7,000 miles to a country where I would spend my next five years. The first week that followed took me on a ride through a spectrum of experiences.

Drexel kicks off the year with Welcome Week. This is an entire stretch of days packed with exciting events. These events serve as a great way to socialize with your peers and familiarize yourself with the environment.

One of the first events of my Welcome Week was a tour of some of the historical sites in Philadelphia. It was after the visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Independence Hall that, at Washington Square, something unique caught my attention. Along the walkways of the park, I saw stoops in addition to the benches. This interesting addition to the park intrigued me as I saw people preferring to sit and interact with others sitting on the stoop. These stoops were a monument to classic Philadelphia buildings, emphasizing the intersection of private and public space. This impressed upon me Philadelphia's culture of interaction and storytelling, bringing me a little closer to the city itself.

The week continued with events ranging from informational seminars and student organization showcases to bubble soccer and volleyball competitions. I found myself particularly drawn to the mindfulness yoga lesson. After grabbing an early breakfast, I joined my friends in exercise at the Drexel Athletic Center to recharge for the upcoming events. Welcome Week concludes with a showcase of Drexel's Greek life — Night on the Row. Drexel fraternities and sororities open doors to all Drexel students for one night of music and food, giving the new first-year class a chance to learn about their organizations. Being born and raised in Pakistan, I was a stranger to the concept of Greek life in American universities. Night on the Row allowed me to interact with the Greek members and learn about their values and visions, laying a foundation for me to engage with them in the future.

Welcome Week played an important role in my transition into college. It brought me closer to Philadelphia and allowed me to get to know people from around the world. In the weekend that followed, I was more than ready to head into the classroom.