Background
CIRCLE is the University of Washington’s primary portal for international student engagement, support, and advocacy. As a result, CIRCLE is charged with leading the onboarding and transition programs for all entering international undergraduate and graduate students.
CIRCLE offers the International Welcome Programs (IWP) each summer, fall, winter, and spring quarter aiming to help new students become familiar with UW resources that are vital to their success as UW students. Additionally, IWP connects new students with services that will facilitate their transition to their new lives in Seattle and the United States. Since the number of new students starting at the University varies by quarter, IWP length, size, and scope adjust based on these numbers.
Overview and Sponsorship Opportunity
Each quarter, IWP offers an array of programs to help with the social and cultural integration of international students. Since most of the new international students arrive in the autumn quarter, IWP are more extensive to accommodate varying student schedules and needs.
Starting with summer 2023, CIRCLE will maintain a single website for all IWP activities each quarter. The IWP website will serve as a one-stop-shop for all new student specific resources and for students to view the activity schedule based on the quarter they are arriving in.
Additionally, a centralized IWP page allows for sponsors to have consistent presence throughout the entirety of IWP for the academic year. As an example, the IWP page for fall 2023 had 1648 views from 833 unique users during the two weeks leading to the program. To successfully execute these programs, CIRCLE will enlist student volunteers who will serve as guides for the new students. Promotion for all CIRCLE IWP will begin in early September via digital marketing including web, email and social media.
By supporting the CIRCLE IWP, the sponsors will help make possible the programs that will provide a welcoming environment for the students and their families.
For the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year, the UW will welcome an entering cohort of over 2500 new international students. Sponsors will have the opportunity to engage with students prior to arriving in Seattle which presents the opportunity to raise brand awareness early on. In addition, through immediate exposure via IWP, sponsors have the opportunity to offer their business to students who will be looking for such services upon arriving in Seattle.
Remote operations during the pandemic demonstrated that virtual engagement is a viable way to engage with students prior to arrival to campus. By engaging with international students while they are still in their home country, CIRCLE has been able to present information to students in a more digestible format that facilitates content retention. Similarly, by engaging with students prior to their arrival, sponsors can present offers or specific services that will help them become more informed consumers once they arrive in Seattle. With this in mind, sponsors have the opportunity to engage with international students consistently through annual sponsorship or quarterly based on specific needs.
| Quarter: | # of students |
| Summer 2023 | 128 |
| Fall 2023 | 2708 |
| Winter 2024 | 36 |
| Spring 2024 | 75 |
Sponsor Levels
Globetrotter $10,000
- Logo placement on IWP website and tailored messaging (e.g. banner, ads) during communication to students prior to arrival for all four quarters.
- Recognized as sponsor for fall 2024 Welcome Tailgate (UW v. Northwestern) and International Student Family reception.
- Presence at New International Student Resource Fair (9/20).
- Opportunity for co-branded giveaways to be distributed during all four quarters.
- Opportunity for mutually agreed special sponsor engagement for all four quarters.
- Logo placement on volunteer t-shirt.
Voyager $6,000
- Logo placement on IWP website and tailored messaging (e.g. banner, ads) during communication to students prior to arrival for all four quarters.
- Presence at New International Student Resource Fair (9/20).
- Opportunity for mutually agreed special sponsor engagement for all four quarters.
Seattle Guide $2,500
- Logo placement on IWP website and tailored messaging (e.g. banner, ads) during communication to students prior to arrival for fall quarter.
- Presence at New International Student Resource Fair (9/20).
- Opportunity for one sponsor engagement during fall quarter.
For more information about the CIRCLE IWP, contact Hyerim Park, CIRCLE Student Transitions Coordinator at haerim23@uw.edu.
