Your first friends
Before orientation even starts, you'll have seniors answering panicked 2 a.m. questions and a batch of peers going through exactly the same thing.
The India Club @WashU Olin
Welcome home —
before you've even arrived.
Across India a doorway gets a drawing — rangoli, kolam, alpana, depending on where you're from — dots and loops laid down to welcome whoever's about to walk in. Think of this as yours. From the flight out of India to your first Diwali in St. Louis — here's everything the leap to WashU Olin actually takes.
Made for you by the India Club exec team.
You belong here already.
How to use this
A guide that follows your journey.
Read it end to end on the flight over, or jump to whatever you need right now. It's laid out in the order things will actually happen — from packing your bags in India to finding your people at Olin.
01 — Who we are
The India Club @WashU Olin
We're the desi home base at Olin — a student-run community that makes sure no one navigates a new country, a demanding program, and a very cold winter alone.
Home, on campus
Diwali, Garba, Holi, Pongal, movie nights and evenings out — the traditions you'd miss, recreated in St. Louis so the homesickness has less room to grow.
A leg-up network
Alumni who've walked the recruiting path, referrals, mock interviews, and honest advice on visas, internships, and full-time offers.
02 — Before you fly
Before you fly
The version of you that packs carefully will be very kind to the version of you landing jet-lagged in a new country. Start here, weeks before departure.
Documents — carry in your cabin bag
- Passport with your F-1 visa stamp
- I-20 (signed) + WashU admit letter
- SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- Financial documents — bank statements, loan sanction letter, sponsor affidavit
- Printed proof of accommodation & a local contact
- Academic originals — degree, transcripts, mark sheets (plus soft copies on cloud + email)
- Vaccination & medical records, prescriptions in generic names
- A few passport photos
What's actually worth packing from India
- Ethnic wear — one kurta/saree/sherwani set. Diwali and Garba nights are real, and it's pricey to buy here
- Formals — a suit + interview-ready clothes. Recruiting starts fast
- Spices & a few masalas you love (sealed, labelled). You'll get the rest here
- Medicines — a starter stock with prescriptions
- Pressure cooker if you have space — a desi kitchen staple
- Spectacles — a spare pair; eye tests here are expensive
- Comfort food, a photo or two, anything that says home
Money before you go
Load a forex/travel card and carry some USD cash (~$200–300) for the first few days. Keep your loan disbursement and fee-payment plan sorted before you leave, and tell your Indian bank you're travelling so cards don't get blocked.
Your phone
Make sure your handset is carrier-unlocked before you fly. Set up an eSIM (or a US SIM on arrival) so you have data the moment you land — you'll need it for the ride to your place. Keep your Indian number active on a cheap plan for OTPs and banking back home.
03 — Landing in St. Louis
Your first 48 hours
Most incoming students fly into St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), often via a US port of entry. Here's the order to do things so the first two days feel manageable, not overwhelming.
- 1
Clear immigration at your first US stop
At your port of entry, have your passport, visa and I-20 ready for the CBP officer. This is where you're formally admitted — keep your I-20 in hand, not in checked baggage.
- 2
Get to where you're staying
From STL, a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi to the campus area runs roughly 20–30 minutes. If we're running pickups, we'll share sign-up details in the group.
- 3
Turn on a US number
Activate your eSIM or grab a prepaid SIM (there are many budget carriers). A working number unlocks everything next — bank, rideshare, deliveries, orientation check-ins.
- 4
First grocery + essentials run
Pick up bedding, a few utensils and starter groceries. A desi store run for rice, dal and your comfort spices makes night one feel a lot more like home (full list in section 06).
- 5
Note your key dates
Check your OISS mandatory international check-in, WashU orientation, and Olin program onboarding dates. Missing the international check-in can affect your visa status, so treat it as non-negotiable.
04 — Settling in
The set-up weeks
The Danforth campus (where Olin lives) doesn't have designated graduate housing, so nearly everyone rents nearby. Here's how to find a place, get your finances running, and move around the city.
Where WashU grads live
University City & The Loop
Most popular · walkable · ~10 min to campus
The unofficial student HQ. Diverse, lively, packed with food and shops along Delmar. Eastern U-City tends to be the most affordable; the Hanley–Delmar side is quieter and family-friendly.
Clayton (Moorlands, DeMun)
Upscale · very safe · adjacent to campus
Leafy, polished, and a short walk or bike from Olin. A bit pricier, with a walkable business district and easy MetroLink access at Clayton and Forsyth.
Central West End (CWE)
Lively · near the Med campus & Forest Park
Trendy restaurants and historic streets right by Forest Park. Great vibe; commute to Danforth is a quick MetroLink ride or bus.
DeBaliviere & Skinker–DeBaliviere
Quiet · great value · one stop to campus
Homey and often cheaper for the space, with a MetroLink stop that drops you on campus in about a minute. A favourite for value hunters.
Maplewood & Richmond Heights
More space for your money
A little further out but budget-friendly, with plenty of shopping and easy driving/transit access. Good if you're prioritising rent and square footage.
How to search
Start here
WashU's OISS off-campus resources, plus Quadrangle, Proximity, Parallel Properties, Uloop and Trulia. Ask the group — seniors often pass on leases and know which buildings to avoid.
Getting your life running
The free Metro U-Pass
As a full-time student you're eligible for a free, unlimited Metro U-Pass — MetroLink light rail and MetroBus across St. Louis. Register each semester and ride with your student ID. Between that, WashU's free shuttles/Campus Circulator, and a bike, most people don't need a car early on.
Open a US bank account
Set up a checking account soon after arriving (common choices include Bank of America, Chase, US Bank, and local Commerce Bank). Get a debit card, then start building US credit with a student or secured credit card — it matters more here than you'd expect.
Social Security Number (SSN)
You'll typically need an SSN once you have a job offer (an on-campus role counts). Apply at a Social Security office with your passport, I-20, I-94 and offer letter. No job yet? You can wait — you don't need it just to arrive.
Utilities, internet & a phone plan
Sort electricity/gas (often Ameren) and home internet (Spectrum/AT&T are common) when you move in. Move your prepaid SIM to a proper monthly plan once you know your usage.
05 — Life at Olin
Thriving at business school
WashU Olin runs the full-time and part-time/Flex and Executive MBA, plus specialized master's in Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance and Supply Chain — with newer programs in AI for Business, Sports Business and Wealth Management joining the line-up. Whatever you're in, a few things will make the first semester smoother.
Live in the career center
Recruiting timelines here are early and structured. Olin's Weston Career Center is your engine room for resumes, interview prep, employer connections and coffee chats. Treat networking as coursework from week one, not something for later.
Know your OPT / STEM-OPT
Several Olin master's degrees are STEM-designated, which can qualify you for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of standard OPT — significant runway to work in the US. Confirm your program's status early and let it shape your job search.
Participation & integrity
Expect case discussions, cold calls and lots of team projects — speaking up counts. And US academic-integrity rules are strict: cite everything, never share solutions unless allowed. When unsure, ask the professor.
Resources worth knowing
OISS (your go-to for I-20s, CPT/OPT and visa questions), the library and writing support, and the Sumers Recreation Center for the gym. Bookmark your student email and the LMS on day one.
06 — A taste of home
Food, festivals & faith
The homesickness gets a lot smaller once you know where to get good atta, a proper dosa, and a place to celebrate. St. Louis has a warm, established South Asian community — here's the shortlist.
Indian & desi grocery stores
Tirupati Farmers Market
The one-stop favourite
Spacious and well-organised: groceries, fresh produce, plus pooja items, mandirs and Indian cookware (tawas, cookers) — and a little café for ready-to-eat snacks.
Seema Enterprises
Since 1984 · two locations
One of St. Louis's oldest South Asian stores. Deep Indian & Pakistani range — spices, lentils, sweets and ready-to-eat.
Bombay Bazar
Chesterfield
Family-run, big on fresh vegetables and authentic spices for everyday cooking.
Global Foods Market
Pan-Asian & huge
10,000+ items across Indian, East Asian and more — great when your recipe needs something unusual.
Mideast Market
Desi + Middle Eastern
Affordable fresh produce and a wide South Asian range, serving the area for decades.
Also worth a trip
Jay International · Desi Bazaar
More desi staples across town — and Desi Bazaar sits next to an Indian bakery, Signature India, for when you need mithai.
Where to eat (near campus & the Loop)
Turmeric
6679 Delmar Blvd, University City
Right by the Loop and popular with WashU students — dosas, uthappam and South Indian dishes, comfy for group dinners and watching a match.
House of India
8501 Delmar Blvd
A long-loved buffet — huge spread, lots of veg options, easy on a student budget.
Gokul
Delmar Loop · vegetarian
Beloved vegetarian spot in the heart of the Loop — a reliable, tasty walk from campus.
Gol Bowl
6227 Delmar Blvd (Loop)
Modern, fast-casual Indian (with Thai and halal options) — quick, fresh bowls between classes.
India Rasoi
Classic North Indian
Solid curries, biryani and naan when you want the familiar, done well.
Himalayan Yeti
Nepali & Indian
Momos and mountain flavours for when you want something a little different.
A place to celebrate & pray
The Hindu Temple of St. Louis in Ballwin (725 Weidman Rd, ~30 minutes west) is the community's hub — festivals, a cultural center and even a cafeteria. Greater St. Louis also has mosques, gurudwaras and churches across denominations. Ask in the group and someone will point you to the right community and carpool.
You won't cook alone
Grocery runs are a group sport here — carpools to the desi store, split bulk orders, shared Sunday cooking. If you've never made dal in your life, don't worry: someone will teach you, and you'll be feeding the next batch before you know it.
07 — Weather & what to wear
Yes, it gets properly cold
St. Louis has four real seasons, and for most of us the winter is a genuine first. Here's what to expect so nothing catches you off guard.
Hot & humid
You'll arrive to heat in the low-to-mid 30s °C with humidity. Light cottons, sunscreen, a water bottle.
Beautiful autumn
Crisp, colourful, the best weather of the year. A light jacket and layers do the job.
Actually freezing
Regularly below 0 °C, with cold snaps dipping well under −10 °C, plus snow and ice. This is the real deal.
Fresh spring
Warming up, occasional rain, everything blooming — and Holi season. Layers again.
08 — The year ahead
What we get up to
A rough map of our year. Exact dates land in the group each semester — but this is the rhythm of festivals, food and community you're joining.
- AUG
Orientation Session
A proper sit-down for the incoming batch: what the first semester actually demands, who to ask about what, and the questions nobody tells you to ask. Pairs with the written guide.
- SEP
India Food Fest
Regional cooking from across the country, made by students rather than caterers. The whole point is that everyone finds something that tastes like where they're from.
- OCT
Garba Celebration
Navratri falls 11-20 October this year. Dandiya sticks out, everyone dressed up, and the music does not stop early — one of the most joyful evenings of the semester.
- NOV
Diwali Celebration
The big one, around 8 November. Lights, performances, a feast, and the whole Olin community turning up — well beyond just us. Bring the ethnic wear you packed.
- JAN
Pongal Celebration
The South Indian harvest festival, mid-January. Sweet pongal, sugarcane and a warm start to the spring semester.
- FEB
India Club Networking Gala
Our most formal night of the year: alumni, recruiters and current students in one room. Bring a suit and bring questions — this is where referrals actually begin.
- MAR
Holi Celebration
Colours, music and warmth as the year winds down — and a send-off for the batch heading out into the working world.
- ALL YEAR
Movie Nights
New releases and old favourites on a big screen, with far too much popcorn. The lowest-effort way there is to meet the batch.
- ALL YEAR
Fun Evenings in STL
Bowling, dinners out, day trips and whatever someone proposes in the group chat. St. Louis is a lot more fun than it gets credit for.
09 — Stay connected
Don't wait until you land
The single best thing you can do right now is join the group and say hello. Questions, panic, packing debates — all welcome. This is what we're here for.
How to join us
- 01Become a memberRegister on WUGO, the official WashU student-organisation platform. This is what puts you on the roster.
- 02Join the WhatsApp groupWhere events, updates and every panicked 2 a.m. question actually happen. Come say hello before you land.
Follow us[ @handle ]
Email us[ club email ]
The people you can lean on
- President[ Name ]
- Vice President[ Name ]
- Events lead[ Name ]
- Community lead[ Name ]
A note from the President
Moving across the world for a degree is one of the bravest things you'll do. You'll miss home, misjudge the cold, and mess up the metro at least once. All of that is normal. What you won't do is go through it alone — that's the whole point of us.
Reach out early, come to the events, and lean on the batch ahead of you the way we leaned on the ones before us. In a year, you'll be the one welcoming the next batch across the threshold. We can't wait to meet you.
[ Your name ]
President · India Club @WashU Olin ·2026-27
Quick answers
FAQ
Do I need a car when I arrive?
Not at first. The free Metro U-Pass, WashU shuttles and a bike cover most student life near campus and the Loop. Some people buy a used car later for big grocery runs and trips, but it's optional early on.
How much should I budget for rent?
It varies a lot by neighbourhood and roommates. Eastern University City is among the most affordable; Clayton and CWE sit higher. Sharing a place brings the per-person cost down significantly — ask the group for current numbers.
When should I book my flight?
Once your visa is stamped and you've noted your OISS international check-in and orientation dates, aim to land a few days before things start so you have time to set up housing, a SIM and groceries.
Should I bring bedsheets and kitchenware?
No need to fill your suitcase with them — they're cheap and easy to buy here. Prioritise documents, formals, one ethnic outfit, medicines and a few spices instead.
Will I be able to eat Indian food easily?
Yes. There are several desi grocery stores and a good cluster of Indian restaurants near campus and the Loop (see section 06), plus lots of communal cooking within the club.
Buy a winter jacket in India or here?
Here. St. Louis winters are colder than most of India, and local stores sell gear rated for real snow, often on sale. A light layer for the plane is enough to start.