A Sneak Peek into Hoya Welcome Week: How GU-Q is Preparing For its 20th Anniversary Class

While newly admitted students at Georgetown University in Qatar are celebrating their acceptance and gearing up for a new chapter, Hassan Amin and Panagiotis Dalgiannakis (GU-Q’27) are spending their summer preparing something special: a landmark Hoya Welcome Week (HWW) to greet GU-Q’s 21st incoming class.

Launching on August 17, this year’s HWW is more than an introduction—it’s a community-wide celebration designed to help new students settle in, succeed, and feel right at home. The week features a full lineup of events across campus, Education City, and greater Doha, with a focus on easing the transition for students arriving from around the world. From cultural tours to campus traditions, each activity is curated to spark connection and build a strong foundation for life at GU-Q.

The program is a collaboration across all corners of the university, bringing together staff, faculty, and student leaders to deliver a holistic orientation experience grounded in Georgetown’s values. As the 20th class to join the campus, this year’s students will also enjoy special programming that reflects on the university’s enduring commitment to People for Others and Community in Diversity—principles that shape the heart of the GU-Q journey.

“Not only is HWW giving the incoming batch the space to bond with each other, but also with staff, faculty, and students from other batches,” shared last year’s HWW coordinator, Maryam Al-Ansari (GU-Q’26), who returns this year as one of dozens of orientation advisors.

Hassan and Panos emphasized that while HWW is packed with fun and practical events, its deeper goal is helping students understand what it means to truly be part of the Georgetown community.

“While most activities focus on getting the students settled in and ready for classes, there are also activities based on teaching the students about what it means to become a ‘Hoya,’” they explained, referencing the term affectionately used for all Georgetown students and alumni.

For returning students, HWW left a lasting impression. Alyanna Cruz (GU-Q’28) reflected on her own experience: “The whole week, albeit tiring, was really fun overall. Everyone was really welcoming, and my favorite part was sharing my experiences and life story with my orientation group.”

Dania Muhsen (GU-Q’28) agreed, adding that HWW helped lay the groundwork for her entire first year. “It set the base for how I was going to start my first year. It’s a very open and enjoyable time and the activities were really fun.”