How WiE Live in Indianapolis

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WiE Leadership Team at The Children’s Museum


Living at Purdue University in Indianapolis is a one-of-a-kind experience. Our campus is small and close-knit, yet right next to the city. This makes campus life both comfortable and exciting. There is always something happening nearby, whether it is a campus event or a quick trip downtown with friends.

Living in the Residence Halls

When I first came to college, I was not sure how I would meet people. In my freshman year, I decided to live on campus in North Hall and it ended up being one of the best decisions I made. There are two main on-campus housing options: the traditional residence hall style at North Hall and the apartment style living at Lux on Capitol. At North Hall, students usually share a room with one roommate, while Lux apartments can house up to four roommates.

I loved the community at North Hall. Living in the residence halls means that you are surrounded by other first-year students. It makes it much easier to make friends and find people to study with as most of us take the same classes for our first-year engineering requirements. My friends and I usually meet in the study areas for homework. And if you ever need someone to talk to, there is almost always someone there who is up for a late-night chat. This is where I found my closest friends, who have continued to support me during my time at Purdue to this day.

Campus Events

Fall Fest at Boiler Park

Another great part of living on campus are all the events you can go to! Every resident is assigned a Resident Assistant (RA) who are also undergraduate students living in the same halls. They organize weekly events for all the residents, ranging from F1 watch parties to slime-making nights. Beyond residence hall events, there are all sorts of activities hosted by the clubs here. Because the Indianapolis campus is compact, most events are held close to the residence halls, making them easy to attend. For example, the Purdue in Indianapolis Medical Association (PiMed) hosts Pie Parties where you can grab pizzas and pies while studying. The Women in Engineering (WiE) program also hosts monthly social events with crafts, cookie decorating, and game nights to enjoy with your women in engineering friends. Here is our Fall Fest event where we got to paint succulent plant pots and drink hot chocolate! There is always something going on to make your day more fun!

Exploring the City

North Hall residents at North Mass Boulder

One of the best parts of living in Indianapolis is how close we are to the city. There are plenty of nice outdoor spaces where you can relax, run, or spend time with friends. One of my favorites is White River State Park which is just a 5 minute walk from campus. Here is our Leadership Team having a picnic there!

Beyond parks, there are tons of fun activities nearby. About a 10-minute drive (or 20 minute bike using the free Pacers Bike Share service) is North Mass Boulder, an indoor rock climbing gym where I like to go climbing with friends.

There are also iconic places in Indianapolis like the IMAX Theater at the Indiana State Museum and the Indianapolis Zoo. The school occasionally gives out free tickets to students, which are always a good idea to have fun.

Food On and Off Campus

WiE Picnic at White River State Park


A big part of the city is its great food options. On campus, students can eat at the Tower Fining Hall or grab something quick at the Campus Center which has options like Panda Express and Pizza Hut. You can use a meal plan or dining dollars to pay for meals here. Don’t forget Caribou Coffee which is perfect for a quick matcha latte or coffee break. Off campus, there are many restaurants with different cuisines. If you love bubble tea like me, you can take a short walk to Massachusetts Avenue and visit the cafes there.

Why WiE love living in Indy

Living in Indianapolis has made my college experience one that I will remember. Being able to live with friends, explore the city, and take a random walk along the Canal has made campus life feel both comfortable and exciting. Through communities like Women in Engineering, I found my amazing group of friends to share these experiences with. Going to WiE events and getting to meet people helped make Indianapolis feel like my second home at college. There is so much to do here, and I hope you get to experience it too!

Aurelia Chelfannisa, BME '28

Indianapolis WE Link Leadership Team

 

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Purdue Women in Engineering

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