Immersed in thousands of screaming Cyclones, Benjamin Wilson was receiving a crash course in student life at Iowa State. 

Destination Iowa State is the unofficial start of many student careers at ISU. Taking place over the course of three days before fall semester, DIS is designed to help new students make connections with their peers through games and activities, and get better acquainted with the campus.

Wilson, a transfer student from Woden, Iowa, said he hoped to “get a couple numbers in his phone.”

“I hear it’s like this team-based thing and I thought it might be nice to get involved with that and see if I can learn some people’s names and broker some bonds, I suppose,” said Wilson.

This is the 18th year of DIS. Liz Kurt of New Student Programs says the program has changed over the years to meet the needs of incoming students. For example, 18 years prior, students were brought to a computer lab and learned how to use a computer.

Kurt said that the number of students who attend DIS increases every year  as well as percentage of incoming students who attend. Over 20 student groups host events during DIS with a focus on increasing a sense of community.

Over the course of the three days, Students are broken into teams that will work together in educational sessions geared towards helping students with money and time management, among other goals.

The schedules are tailored specifically for transfer students and freshman to receive information they need to succeed at Iowa State.

DIS isn’t all business, however. Attendees will be treated to several free meals, a magic show and even a performance by a hypnotist.

Friday morning, students are invited to enjoy a free Pancake Breakfast on Central campus.

Friday evening is slated for students in campus housing to meet their neighbors and learn more about their neighborhood.

Later that night, students will participate in “Late Night at the Memorial Union,” where activities, food and the comedy-magic show are scheduled until 11 p.m.

On Saturday, attendees will finish up their educational sessions and engage in community service projects, followed by lunch.

DIS will be capped off with the performance by a hypnotist in the Hilton Coliseum and “Recreation Nation” in the State Gym and Lied Recreation Athletic Center where students will have opportunities to climb a rock wall, play mini-golf and experience more until midnight.

When freshman Conner Shaw was asked what he was most looking forward to at DIS, his answer was simple.

“I’d have to say the food, I’m ready to eat,” said Shaw.

Freshman Shawn Shindelar was drawn to DIS by the free gear.

“Someone told me there’s a bunch of free stuff, free t-shirts, a free meal, so just do all that and find a bunch of people,” said Shindelar.

Lexi Pugh, a freshman from Stillwater, Minnesota, was most interested in the social aspect of DIS.

“Meeting new people, it’s self-explanatory,” said Pugh. “I really don’t know what the events are, I just signed up and I was like ‘okay, I guess I’m going.’”