Georgetown’s New Student Orientation Builds Foundation for Success at QF

With the new academic year days away, 125 incoming undergraduate students representing 40 nationalities at Georgetown University in Qatar, a QF partner, took part in New Student Orientation, an engaging experience that welcomes new students and prepares them for a successful transition to college life.

During the week-long program, students in the Class of 2026 explored academic offerings, learned about resources and support services, took entrance exams, and gained practical study skills students need to thrive at Georgetown. They also learned about Georgetown values and traditions and began building their student networks, a new focus of this year’s NSO. 

“To help us identify the unique needs of an incoming class that has faced social and academic disruptions due to the pandemic, we worked with a team that included the valuable insights of current students with similar experiences,” said Uday Rosario, Assistant Director for Student Programs. “The outcome of those efforts is what we are calling Engagement Week, to help students create a personal connection with the university, with Qatar, and with our active alumni networks within Qatar.” 

International student Ilyass Ajdahim, who is joining GU-Q from Casablanca, Morocco, said: “I have been having an amazing time getting to know other admitted and current students at GU-Q. My academic advisors and deans have also been extremely helpful and are always happy to answer any questions I have. Everyone and everything at Georgetown has offered me nothing but support and warmth.” 

NSO coordinator John Ewotu (GU-Q'24) said his own virtual transition from high school to college is what helped him reimagine the NSO experience, including lessons in cultural sensitivity and awareness. “Georgetown is a campus that takes pride in the diversity of its community. I believe it’s important to recognize the benefits and privileges of being able to study, live, and learn in such a diverse community, but also to understand the responsibility that comes with living in diverse spaces.”

For NSO coordinator Jood Sheikh (GU-Q’25), the university’s holistic approach to education is key to building a solid foundation for future success. “The Georgetown experience is about much more than academics. Through the activities we planned, I wanted the incoming class to know that GU-Q has so many people supporting them and resources tailored to address their academic, professional, social, and personal needs.” 

“This year we also introduced a new program called ‘Iktashif Qatar’ focused on introducing our community to Qatar's culture, economics and society as a means to integrate our community within the fabric of Qatar,” added Rosario.

The excitement of NSO was also driven by a host of fun activities, including a filmmaking session sponsored by the student-led Film Society, Qatari food tasting sponsored by GU-Q’s Al Liwan Qatari Student Association, and bowling at the HBKU student center. Students also discovered  Qatar’s rich history and iconic cultural landmarks through trips around Doha, a tour of a museum exhibit curated by Manager of Museum Exhibitions at Msheireb Fahad Al-Turky (GU-Q’10), and a desert safari. 

The week culminated with Convocation, a traditional ceremony where incoming students don caps and gowns for their formal induction into the Georgetown community of students, scholars, and researchers.About Georgetown University in Qatar

Established in 1789 in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions. Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), founded in 2005 in partnership with Qatar Foundation, seeks to build upon the world-class reputation of the university through education, research, and service. Inspired by the university’s mission of promoting intellectual, ethical, and spiritual understanding, GU-Q aims to advance knowledge and provide students and the community with a holistic educational experience that produces global citizens committed to the service of humankind.

Located in Doha’s Education City, GU-Q offers the same internationally recognized Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service degree as Georgetown’s Capitol Campus in Washington, DC. This unique, interdisciplinary program prepares students to tackle the most important and pressing global issues by helping them develop critical thinking, analytic, and communication skills within an international context. GU-Q alumni work in leading local and international organizations across industries ranging from finance to energy, education, and media. The Qatar campus also serves as a residency and delivery location for the Executive Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management along with the Executive Master’s in Leadership.

For more information please contact the Office of Communications +974 4457 8100