Why ND

Your Experience at Notre Dame

At Notre Dame, we enable students from all over the world to experience our excellent academics and research opportunities, state-of-the art facilities, and the strong sense of shared purpose that make our university a unique place for intellectual and personal growth.

As a top 20 national research institution, the global engagement team provides access to our world-class academics through our semester, summer, and customized experiences. With a 8:1 student faculty ratio, our class sizes are small and students in all of our programs are able to receive personalized advising from their professors and engage in innovative, interactive learning experiences with peers from ND and abroad.

We welcome students to join the Notre Dame family and its strong sense of community, tradition, and spirituality during their visit to our campus. Through countless opportunities in the residential halls, our 500+ students clubs and organizations, and the international community on campus, students are able to integrate into the campus community and make Notre Dame their “home under the dome.”

History

The University of Notre Dame was founded in November 1842 by Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a French missionary order. It is located adjacent to South Bend, Indiana, the center of a metropolitan area with a population of more than 300,000. Notre Dame has grown from the vision of Father Sorin, who sought to establish a great Catholic university in America, and has remained faithful to both its religious and intellectual traditions. One of America’s leading undergraduate teaching institutions, Notre Dame also has been at the forefront in research and scholarship.

Campus

Notre Dame’s beautiful and scenic campus features not only it’s most recognized campus landmarks - the Golden Dome, Touchdown Jesus, and the Grotto. It is also home to our state-of-the-art facilities including our libraries, athletic facilities, residential halls, laboratories, and more. Explore our beautiful home, our campus filled with both beauty and spirit, through our virtual tour.

“Being abroad at Notre Dame was an unforgettable experience where I built lifetime friendships, reinforced my faith, grew in the professional and academic scope, and of course as a person.” -- Angela (Exchange Student), Mexico

"The campus was stunning, and the faculty were supportive and encouraging. Being part of such a diverse and inclusive community opened my eyes to a world of different cultures and perspectives. Interacting with my peers from various backgrounds enriched my understanding of the world and fostered lifelong friendships. The late-night study sessions were tough, no doubt, but they also turned into some of my fondest memories. I'll forever be grateful for the experiences, the friendships, and the life lessons that have shaped me in ways I could have never imagined. Notre Dame has been an incredible chapter in my life, and I can't wait to see how these experiences will continue to impact me and shape my future journey." --Khadija (iSURE), Pakistan

Explore South Bend

How to get around

The Transpo bus system, which has routes taking students from campus to our shopping mall and to downtown provides free transportation to ND students with their student ID card. Students can also choose to use Bird scooters located around the city or rideshare apps to find taxis.

We have a walking and biking trail, the East Race Trail which goes past campus and stretches from downtown South Bend all the way into Michigan. This safe, well lit path is a great way to see the nature in the area and get from campus to downtown.

Students can also use Zipcar which is a car rental service on campus and provides an easy, convenient way for students to take day trips with friends and explore the area beyond campus including the dunes at lake Michigan and the Amish communities nearby.

To visit Chicago, Ann Arbor, Detroit and other nearby cities, you can take the South Shore Train Line from the South Bend Airport, the Amtrak Train, or a Greyhound Bus.

Local Attractions

The city has many concerts, festivals, and conventions year round. Local coffee shops are great for studying and city events provide entertainment and activities off campus.

Volunteering Opportunities

In South Bend, there are many experiences available to students in which they can lend a hand in the community and engage with the local population. We also organize trips for both semester and summer program students to visit local community partners.