Welcome to McMaster!

Classes start next week, but the energy on campus has been building with events and programming throughout the month of August to welcome new students.

Here some of the ways the McMaster community gives our new students a warm welcome:

Welcome Week

The cheers, the constant hum of activity all across campus, and of course, the Reps in their jumpsuits: It’s hard to miss the colourful exuberance of the Welcome Week festivities.

Starting with Move-in Weekend, when Welcome Week Reps help first-years move in to residence in an unforgettable way, Welcome Week is seven days jam-packed with programming and events to help students meet their peers, find their way around and settle into their new home here at Mac.

With an emphasis on inclusion and belonging; student wellness and safety; and supporting every student in their transition to post-secondary academics, Welcome Week is just the beginning of each student’s unique journey at McMaster.

Airport Welcome

All through August, student volunteers welcome international and exchange students when they arrive at Pearson International Airport. Besides friendly guidance for the students as they navigate their way to McMaster after a long journey to a new country, the volunteers answer questions and help address any concerns.

They also make sure arriving students learn about iCent, a customizable platform and app for access to resources that will support their transition to life in Canada, including information on transit, banking and other aspects of daily life.

The program is a partnership between the McMaster Student Success Centre, the City of Hamilton, Mohawk College and Columbia International College.

Greeted by student volunteers, the Airport Welcome Program supports first-year international students on their journey to #HamOnt and @McMasterU, in partnership with @MohawkCollege, @cic_totalcare, @cityofhamilton, Airways Transit, and @iCentapp. pic.twitter.com/loGWCe2mW5

— Student Success Centre (@MacSSC) August 28, 2024

Ignite program

The three-day pre-orientation program for first-year international students helps them get to know campus and the city, and to set up necessities like cellphones and bank accounts.

The Ignite program also gives international students — and their families — a chance to socialize with one another, meet with faculty advisors and mentors, and connect with important resources that will help them thrive during their time at McMaster.

Ignite is offered by the Student Success Centre in partnership with Housing & Conference Services and Faculty Offices.

MacStart

MacStart is a free transition program for students with disabilities, offered from the start of August until the start of Welcome Week.

Workshop topics include strengthening academic skills for university, using assistive devices, learning to advocate for yourself and navigating finances. The choose-your-own-journey style allows incoming students who register to attend as many or as few of the workshops as they like.

MacStart also gives students a chance to connect with like-minded peers and ease into life at McMaster before the rush of Welcome Week and start of term.

The program is offered in partnership between the Student Success Centre and Student Accessibility Services.

Gaǫdadęihwahni:ya:s Transition Program

Gaǫdadęihwahni:ya:s is a transition program for incoming Indigenous students in the second half of August. Over those two weeks, followed by the option of a full course in the fall, students learn about culture, university life and academic skill development while celebrating Indigenous values and ways of learning.

Whether you are a recent high school graduate, a mature student or transferring from another institution, Gaǫdadęihwahni:ya:s offers a culturally safe space to connect with supports and community.

The program is offered through Indigenous Student Services (ISS), which supports Indigenous learners at McMaster in achieving their goals and helps remove barriers to their success.

Gear Up 4 Mac and Black Student Welcome

In addition to a host of Welcome Week programming, the Black Student Success Centre hosts a free week-long overnight residency in July called Gear Up 4 Mac that helps incoming Black first-year students make the transition to university life.

At the start of the school year, the Black Student Welcome gives incoming first-years a chance to get to know returning upper-year, professional and graduate students. Featuring a meet and greet and interactive activities, the event also introduces new students to resources, clubs and other information that will help them in the years ahead at Mac.