Top Madison-isms to Know Before Arriving

Moving to a new country for university is a massive leap, and if you are heading to the University of Wisconsin-Madison this Fall, you are probably feeling a mix of wild excitement and total nervousness. My name is Ashmit, and I am an international student double majoring in Computer Science and Data Science. I am also a Student Representative for MFIS and I know exactly what it’s like to land in a new city not knowing what to expect. Navigating a new culture, a rigorous workload, and my first real winter was an adventure, but I quickly discovered why people fall in love with this town. It turns out I'm not the only one who thinks so, as Madison is globally recognized as one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Happiest Cities. 

But stats don't tell you how to survive a freezing February walk to class or where to find the best late-night study fuel. As an international student who was standing exactly in your shoes not too long ago, I’ve put together the ultimate list of "Madison-isms"—the local staples, quirks, and survival rituals you need to know before your plane lands.

What We'll Cover:

1. The Memorial Union Terrace

2. The CDIS Building

3. Picnic Point

4. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

5. Wisconsin Cheese Curds

6. The "Lake Effect" & Windchill Reality Check

7. Walking on Frozen Lakes & Winter Carnival

8. The "Bascom Hill Battle" in the Snow

9. State Street

10. The 80 Bus (The Campus Lifeline)

    * Honorable Mention: UW-Madison Virtual Tour

1. The Memorial Union Terrace

The Memorial Union Terrace is essentially the ultimate campus backyard right on the beautiful shores of Lake Mendota. It is world-famous for those iconic, bright sunburst-patterned metal chairs in green, yellow, and orange. I remember going there with my friends, sitting right by the water, and just watching the gorgeous sunset. It is the most relaxing place to be after a long day of classes, and if you’re lucky, you'll even spot some ducks coming right up to the shore every now and then! When you get hungry, The Terrace area is packed with great local food spots like Strada, Der Rathskeller, and The Brat Stand. Plus, they host amazing live music and open mic nights on Wednesday evenings, making it the perfect hub to unwind and feel connected to the campus community.

2. The School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS) Building

If you want to see the modern side of campus, you have to check out the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences building. It is a truly beautiful space, and they even have talking robots on the first floor to greet you! I found myself going there very often because it is a fantastic study spot. Even better, it houses a learning center with TAs who are always ready to help you out if you get stuck on your coursework. The CDIS Building is also a major hub for tech-related events and conferences on campus, so getting familiar with the layout early on will make it super easy to navigate whenever you want to attend a campus event. Get a better idea of what the building looks like here.

3. Picnic Point

When the stress of upcoming exams starts catching up to you, taking a walk down to Picnic Point is the perfect escape. It is a stunning, nearly mile-long peninsula that stretches right out into Lake Mendota, offering the most famous panoramic view of the Madison skyline and the State Capitol building. I went out there with some friends from my dorm, and we set up a cozy campfire under the night sky. That was actually the first time I ever tried making S'mores, meaning toasting marshmallows over the campfire and squishing them between biscuits. They were absolutely delicious! It takes a bit of walking along the scenic Lakeshore Path to get there, but it is entirely worth it when you need to clear your head. You can easily plan your route using the official Lakeshore Nature Preserve Guide or reserve a fire circle.

4. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

You cannot talk about local treats without mentioning Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream. I highly recommend heading there during the warmer months of the semester to fully enjoy the experience. They make incredibly rich, premium ice cream, and the variety of flavors they have is absolutely insane! It is a great idea to head over to their shop when you want to reward yourself after studying hard for a brutal midterm exam.

5. Wisconsin Cheese Curds

Trying a plate of fresh cheese curds is practically a graduation requirement around here. These bite-sized pieces of curdled milk are a massive cultural staple across the entire state of Wisconsin, and they are the ultimate local comfort food. They are completely vegetarian-friendly and incredibly delicious. You don't have to look very far to find them either; you can grab them right on campus at Der Rathskeller in the Memorial Union. They are the perfect excuse to take a delicious break from cooking in your apartment and share a classic Wisconsin snack with your new friends.

6. The "Lake Effect" & Windchill Reality Check

Madison is built on an isthmus, which is just a geography term for a strip of land nestled tightly between two massive bodies of water, Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. It is absolutely gorgeous during the summer and early fall, but winter brings a major reality check. Because of the open lakes, the wind gathers speed over the flat ice and sweeps right across campus, creating a brutal "windchill effect." This means that even if your phone says it is -5°C (23°F)  outside, the biting wind cutting through the air can make it feel closer to -15°C (5°F) on your skin.

I distinctly remember stepping outside one freezing morning and my mustache literally froze instantly! That was the exact moment I realized my standard winter clothing wasn't going to cut it, and I had to immediately go buy a face mask to protect myself. The real "Madison-ism" here is to be proactive: never just check the raw temperature on your weather app. Always look at the "Feels Like" temperature. Buy your heavy layers early and make sure you have more than enough clothing to stay safe if your finances allow for it. To help you prepare, check out this university-provided winter shopping location guide as well as their official guide on how to wear winter clothing.

7. Walking on Frozen Lakes & Winter Carnival

When winter hits its absolute peak freezing point, something magical happens. The lakes freeze completely solid. Coming from a completely different climate, the sheer novelty of walking on top of a frozen deep-water lake for the first time was absolutely mind-blowing. The ice also plays host to the annual Winter Carnival, which is a wonderful multi-day festival. I got to walk out on the ice, see the famous giant inflatable Statue of Liberty standing right on the lake, and watch the beautiful fireworks over the snow. You can even go ice skating right out there on Lake Mendota! Just keep in mind that the lake ice can occasionally be unpredictable and unsafe, so if you ever feel unsure about it, you can always head over to the indoor ice rink at the Bakke Recreation Wellbeing Center instead.

8. The "Bascom Hill Battle" in the Snow

Bascom Hill is the iconic, beautiful hill right in the center of campus, and walking up it on a normal day is already a serious cardio workout. But when the winter snow falls and coats the sidewalks in ice, climbing up to class turns into a full-blown alpine trek! This was a daily reality for me during my freshman year because I had classes right inside Bascom Hall. The silver lining to this steep, slippery struggle is that it is a fantastic social experience. I would constantly run into my classmates at the bottom of the hill, and we would slowly climb up the ice together. Laughing and trying not to slip turned into a funny, shared campus ritual that completely bonded us together.

9. State Street

State Street is a bustling, vibrant, pedestrian-only avenue that stretches all the way from the edge of campus right to the steps of the beautiful State Capitol building. I find myself going there all the time because the food is incredible and there are endless places to choose from. It is the perfect spot to hang out or grab a quick bite to eat in between your lectures. There are a ton of restaurants representing cuisines from all different parts of the world, including Chinese, Korean, Greek, Nepali, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican. You can read up on its unique history of State Street. Just remember that it is way too lively and fun to ever be a quiet study spot, so go there to eat, relax, and explore instead!

10. The 80 Bus (The Campus Lifeline)

The Route 80 bus is going to become your absolute best friend during your time at UW-Madison. It is a dedicated campus loop run by Madison Metro that stops at every major academic building and residence hall along the way. It is incredibly convenient when you are running late for class or just don't feel like walking long distances across campus. You can easily check the route and live tracking on Google Maps just by typing in "80 bus." The absolute best part about it is that it is completely, 100% free for everyone: no student ID or fare required. If you are ever strapped for cash and need to travel between these iconic spots, just give yourself a little extra time and wait for the next 80 bus to pull up.

Honorable Mention: Virtual Campus Tour

If you want to start exploring the campus layout right now before your flight lands, you can take a look around using the official UW-Madison Virtual Tour. It is a great way to get familiar with the gorgeous lakeside views and majestic buildings waiting for you.

Welcome to Your New Home!

Every international student goes through a bit of culture shock when they first arrive in Wisconsin, but Madison has a unique way of wrapping you up in its traditions and making you feel at home. Embrace the quirks, dress warmly, and get ready for an unforgettable journey. Welcome to UW-Madison!