Frequently Asked Questions by
International Students
Arriving at Notre Dame
Where is Notre Dame?
The University of Notre Dame is located in the city of South Bend, in the state of Indiana. South Bend has a population of approximately 150,000 people and is located 148km (92 miles) east of Chicago.
What is the best way to go from Chicago to South Bend?
There are flights that go from Chicago to South Bend, so South Bend can be the final destination on your plane ticket from home. If your final destination is Chicago, United Limo buses travel from O'Hare Airport (Chicago) directly to Notre Dame at a cost of US$28 one-way, or US$52 round-trip. For a schedule of bus times, click here.
Are there campus tours available?
We greatly encourage visiting campus. It is the best way to get a genuine feel for the social and academic life at Notre Dame. If you would like to arrange for a visit we have daily information sessions, campus tours, and overnight hosting programs. Please see Visiting ND for more information.
Academics
Is there a special application for international students?
No, all students applying as freshmen use the same application.
What scores on International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement exams will grant university credit at ND?
A complete table listing of test scores and corresponding University credit can be found in the University Bulletin.
Is there any other way to pass out of certain classes?
During freshman orientation, you may receive course credit and placement by taking the placement exams offered in virtually every subject.
Do I get all the classes that I ask for when I fill out my class schedule form?
Usually. It depends on the availability of the classes, however, you do get a very similar schedule to what you request. Also, you are guaranteed the classes required for your major.
Who can I talk to about my class schedule?
Each incoming student has an advisor assigned to him or her from the First Year of Studies Office to discuss class schedules and career counseling. Free tutoring, group sessions and a writing lab are also available to all First Year students.
How accessible are the computers on campus?
There are 13 computer labs; 3 are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Most of the computer labs are equipped with PCs and Macintoshes, but a few even have Sun and Silicon Graphics computers. There are also multimedia labs with scanners and video. In addition, every dorm room has Ethernet ports to connect to the University server (which means a very fast connection!).
Living at Notre Dame
Where am I going to live?
You are randomly assigned a dormitory room on campus. Most rooms are doubles, which means you will be living with one other person, but there are also triples and quads. Singles are generally reserved for upperclassmen.
Can I have a campus job as an international student?
Yes. Once you arrive, the Student Employment Office has all the information on possible jobs that you may have on campus. International Students are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week.
Are the residence halls divided by year (e.g., freshmen, sophomore, etc.)?
No. There are students from every class (freshmen, sophomores, etc.) and major in each residence hall.
Will my roommate be an international student?
No. All international students are paired with American students. After your first year, however, you may room with whomever you wish.
Can I live off-campus?
Yes, ND has off-campus housing and apartments nearby campus. On-campus housing, however, is guaranteed all 4 years, and 85% of students live in the same residence hall for their entire undergraduate career.
What is the best mode of transportation on the campus? Outside of the campus?
Cars are not generally allowed on campus. Walking, bicycling, and in-line skating are the most popular. There are buses that go to many of the sites in the city of South Bend, including shopping malls, movie theatres and restaurants. Taxis are also an alternative.
Where can I wash my clothes and how much does it cost?
Almost every dorm has its own laundry room. The machines use quarters and do not cost very much. Alternatively, there is a campus laundry service available that picks up your laundry and brings it back clean and folded to your dorm a few days later. This service costs about $75 a semester. Dry cleaning is also available on campus.
How safe is the Notre Dame campus?
Notre Dame takes great care to ensure the safety of its students. Operating as its own town, Notre Dame has its own police force, fire department, and post office. Notre Dame security officers are on patrol 24-hours a day by car, bicycle, and foot. SafeWalk, the campus escort service, is available upon request at night. These steps ensure that Notre Dame's campus is one of the safest in the nation.
What is the smoking policy in the dorms?
Nearly all of the dorms are smoke-free. You will be asked your preference after your admission.
Are there required Masses?
No Mass attendance is required, but Mass is celebrated daily at several locations around campus. In addition, there are special Masses, such as Spanish and African-American Masses, which are usually offered once a week.
What do people do for fun?
With all this studying, once in a while Notre Dame students need to relax! The campus is beautiful and there are many places to walk and run. For those who like sports, there are indoor and outdoor basketball, volleyball, and soccer courts, along with swimming pools, weightlifting rooms, and classes in anything from Tai-Chi to aerobics. There are competitions between residence halls in almost every major sport, both male and female. Many clubs and student organizations also provide opportunities to relax and develop new talents. Students can learn how to dance, attend presentations by guest speakers, visit Chicago, or go bowling, for example. Football weekends in the Fall are always big events. As the students themselves say, "There's always more to do at Notre Dame than you'll have time for!"
Miscellaneous
How is the weather?
South Bend has four distinct seasons of the year. Winters are considerably cold and there is snow! Spring and Fall are mild, while summers are quite hot and humid.
Where can I find out about other students from my home country?
Contact the Office of International Student Affairs at OISA.1@nd.edu or (219) 631-3824.
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