Finding your place here: What current students want you to know
Get an inside look at academics, campus life, community and more through the firsthand experiences and advice of current students, shared on Desert Hoya, the student blog run by the GU-Q Admissions Team.
1) Belonging and transitioning to GU-Q
Starting college, making friends and finding your place on campus can feel overwhelming. Read how fellow Hoyas navigated their first weeks and found their footing:
What Hoya Welcome Week Taught Me About Belonging
Read here for: An honest look at first-week nerves, why you shouldn’t worry if you don’t find your “forever friends” on Day 1 and how a sense of belonging develops over time.
What You Need to Know About GU-Q
Read here for: Practical tips for making the most of campus, from taking study breaks at Oxygen Park and grabbing coffee at Bo’s to visiting professors during office hours and embracing personal growth.
A Letter to Incoming First-Year Hoyas
Read here for: Advice from Desert Hoya bloggers on making the transition from high school to college, staying grounded during your first month and leaning on the GU-Q community for support.
Why the Women’s Center Might Be GU-Q’s Best Self-Care Secret
Read here for: A look at campus resources and hidden gems, including quiet study spaces, the nap room and other wellness resources.
Friends at Georgetown
Read here for: Reflections on making meaningful connections, overcoming loneliness and finding your social circle in a close-knit campus community.
2) Academics and choosing your path
The BSFS degree challenges you to think critically across majors and minors. Read how students approached their classes, explored their interests and found their academic paths:
My First Week as a History Major at GU-Q
Read here for: What it’s like to step into your first university-level history seminar, join small-group discussions and move from analyzing textbooks to working with primary sources.
Forging a Path in International Economics and Math
Read here for: A student’s experience balancing rigorous math courses with economic theory and how faculty mentorship can open doors to undergraduate research.
Philosophy Isn’t Intimidating. That’s Why I Minored in It
Read here for: How introductory philosophy courses tackle complex ethical questions while building critical-thinking skills that can strengthen any major or career.
The Class That Changed How I See Food
Read here for: How an interdisciplinary course connects geography, culture and global supply chains to real-world questions about diplomacy.
The Middle East: Middle of What? East of What?
Read here for: How GU-Q courses challenge familiar geopolitical terms and encourage students to question how we understand the world.
These Three Classes Shaped My Fall 2025 Semester
Read here for: A student’s take on specific GU-Q courses, what to expect from the workload and how different classes can come together to create a well-rounded semester.
3) Student life and extracurricular activities
University life isn’t just about reading lists and midterms. Read how Hoyas balance busy schedules, stay active, build leadership skills and make time for the things they care about:
Ask Any GU-Q Student: This Is the Only Way to Survive the Busy On-Campus Schedule
Read here for: Time-management strategies and practical tips for balancing coursework, student employment and social life without burning out.
How Running with the Track and Field Club Helped Me Slow Down
Read here for: How staying active and joining a sports club can help relieve academic stress and build friendships across class years.
Finding Community Through Clubs at Georgetown Qatar
Read here for: How student organizations, cultural groups and campus activities can enrich your experience outside the classroom.
Becoming a Diplomat at Georgetown University in Qatar
Read here for: How debate, Model UN and research opportunities can help students build skills in negotiation, diplomacy and public speaking.
4) Community engagement and global experiences
Georgetown encourages learning beyond campus walls. Read about international service, study abroad opportunities and global engagement featured on the Desert Hoya blog:
Beyond Borders: What a Fishing Village in Indonesia Taught Me
Read here for: Lessons from a service-learning trip on cultural humility, community engagement and what i means to be a global citizen.
How GU-Q’s Travel Programs Turn Studying Into an Adventure
Read here for: An honest look at first-week nerves, why you shouldn’t worry if you don’t find your “forever friends” on Day 1 and how a sense of belonging develops over time.
What I’ll Miss About Doha & What I Can’t Wait for at Villa Le Balze in Florence
Read here for: A student’s perspective on preparing to study abroad at Georgetown’s historic Florence villa, adjusting to a new chapter and appreciating life in Doha.
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