The focus of this program is to deliver information to international students about their immigration status, cultural adjustment, academic differences, options for employment and overall transition to Wheaton and the United States. Those who choose to participate may be an international student or may be an ally of that particular group. Led by the Center for Global Education.

The Fall 2024 Early Arrival Programs will run from Tuesday, August 20, to Friday, August 23, 2024. The Fall 2024 schedule will be posted once it is finalized.

For examples of the types of events and workshops that take place, please consult the Fall 2023 schedule listed below.

On this page

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

12:00  – 4:00 p.m.
International Student Arrival
Check in with Global Ed and pick up your residence key and ID.
Balfour Hood Campus Center

4:30  – 6:00 p.m.
Dinner
Chase Dining Hall

6:00  – 8:00 p.m.
Memory Making with EAP Assistants
Join the Early Arrival Assistants and your fellow students for an evening of socializing and crafting.
Emerson Dining Hall, Faculty Dining

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Donut Drop-In and Campus Tours
Start your day off with a donut and coffee as the Early Arrival Assistants provide tours of Wheaton’s campus.
Center for Global Education

11:00  – 11:30 a.m.
International EAP Welcome
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch
Chase Dining Hall

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Academic Excellence Workshop
What to Expect in the Classroom & How to Succeed. Hear from faculty about how to best succeed in your classes. Then, settle in with your Early Arrival Program Assistants as they share their own classroom experiences.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

2:30  – 3:00 p.m.
Icebreaker
Take a minute away from workshops to get to know more about your fellow students.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Opening Ceremony
Join campus leadership and the Early Arrival Program Coordinators as they give their opening remarks to commence Early Arrival 2023!
Weber Theatre

3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Healthy Practices and Counseling Introduction
Join a staff member at the counseling center to learn how you can set yourself up for success and access mental wellness resources.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Title IX
Learn about Title IX, a US law regarding sex-based discrimination
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Study Abroad
Travel with Global Ed! Find out about semester long, year long and faculty-led programs that you can experience while continuing your education.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

5:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Tips and Tricks
Join your Early Arrival Assistants for a short tutorial of essential websites and resources for your time at Wheaton.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Chase Dining Hall

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Evening Programming
Spend your evening playing games and getting to know the students from all of the EAP tracks!
Pine Hall, Conger Commons

Thursday, August 24, 2023

9:30  – 11:00 a.m.
International Overview
Program schedule overview, immigration presentation, and cross-cultural discussion on adjusting to a new environment.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Snacks and Crafts
Take a breather, grab a snack, and make a craft between workshop sessions!
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Health Services and Understanding Taxes
Learn more about health services and health insurance, then get a deeper understanding of taxes in the U.S. as they relate to international students.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch
Chase Dining Hall

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Hot Topics
Conversations about race, ethnicity, gender and politics in America.
Mary Lyon Hall – Holman Room

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Dinner
Chase Dining Hall

7:00  – 9:00 p.m.
Target Takeover
Enjoy some free time or a chance to shop for last minute items you may need for the school year. Transportation will be provided.
Outside Global Ed, Howard Street

9:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Evening Programming
Spend your evening playing games and getting to know the students from all of the EAP tracks!
Pine Hall, Conger Commons

Friday, August 25, 2023

8:00  – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Chase Dining Hall

9:15  – 11:30 a.m.
EAP Common Sessions
Come together with the students of every Early Arrival track for a morning full of activities focused around identity and intersectionality.

Hindle Auditorium in the Discovery Center for opening remarks, then break into smaller groups.

  • Global Connections: Intercultural Communication – Discovery Center 3327
  • Inspiring Belonging: Allyship and Solidarity – Discovery Center 3328
  • Conversations Across Difference -Discovery Center 3332
  • Three Areas of Control for Independent Productivity: Executive Functioning and Academic Self Advocacy – Discovery Center 3344
  • Engaging for Success: Leadership for Success and Liberation – Discovery Center 3343

Discovery Center

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
International EAP Evaluations and Closing
Discovery Center 3327

12:30  – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch
Chase Dining Hall

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Welcome Ceremony