About Us

With underwriting from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, students in the First-Year Studies program enjoy unique opportunities to draw upon the cultural and educational resources of Chicago as the College’s “Geographically Extended Classroom.” Through planned excursions with professors, students learn to navigate the city and get a taste of how Chicago will impact their academic and social experiences over the next four years. 

During orientation, first-year students travel as a group to Chicago via the Metra commuter train accompanied by the professor who is teaching their First-Year Studies course.  Students may visit an endless number of locations, including the city’s spectacular new cultural center at Millennium Park, the Chicago Historical Society, the Art Institute of Chicago, Jackson Park, The Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium, the Vietnam Veterans’ Art Museum, and Symphony Center, among others.  Courses and assignments are tailored to particular sites and resources in the city to provide students with in-depth experiential learning opportunities.