WELCOME INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS

Dreams and plans

• This is a moment you will remember

• You planned this for a long time

• Now you are here

• Everyone in this room is starting new

• This is a chapter in the book of your life

What do you all have in common?• All felt a need and interest to study abroad

• All got information and came to MSU

• Took the TOEFL

• You have now traveled great distances

• Some of you will be tired from traveling

• Familiar surroundings are gone

• Got a visa and are now subject to U.S. laws

• You all now arrive in our community

• Many of you do not know anyone here

• Everyone has an interesting story to how they planned and got here

• We look forward to hearing your stories

Your stories are interesting

• OISS essay contest

• Write your story

• Best essay wins $1,000

What’s not new?

• You are part of a long tradition• Studying abroad is not new• Centuries ago scholars went to great centers

of learning • India, Athens, Egypt among others• MSU ranks among the top research

universities in the U.S. and you now live in a great center of learning

What is new?

• The U.S. response to terrorism

• Heightened bureaucracy created more rules

• This means you must understand the rules about your immigration status in the U.S.

• You will hear more about this later

Study abroad is an adventure

• Living outside your country will change you and the way you see the world

• Life is not always predictable

• Confronting different values

• Confronting different ways

• The leopard cannot cross the river without getting wet

Common questions from new students• What will it be like here?

• Will I succeed?

• How will I cope being away from family and friends?

• Will I make new friends?

• Who will help me?

• Can I manage in English all the time?

• Is it safe here?

• Will others understand my feelings?

• You will soon have answers to those questions

What we know about you

• International students are high achievers

• International students work hard

• International students are willing to take risks

• You are successful in your home country

• People respect you for the challenge you are taking

Look around you

• Everyone else is on the same path

• You have a lot in common with others in this room

Challenges of being new

• The simplest things are strange

• Using the phone

• Riding the bus

• Knowing where to shop

• Needing the help of others

Be patient with yourself

• Everyone before you survived

• You will learn quickly

• You will have some confusion

• You should accept help

• Next year, you can help others at ISO

Adjusting

• How much time to feel comfortable here?

• All students have stress

• As a representative of your country; people will ask about culture, politics, and other matters

• Everyone can learn from everyone else here

MSU’s International Community

• 3, 300 students

• 850 faculty and scholars

• 136 countries represented

• 7% of MSU students

• More than 30 international associations and clubs

When else in your life will you have the opportunity to get to know so many people from so many places? This is a special moment that can transform your life.

MSU’s international traditions

• First U.S. university to create the position of Dean of International Studies and Programs

• International Center built in 1964• CVIP provides friendship programs for

more than 40 years• #1 U.S. university for study abroad• Your presence here is part of

internationalization of MSU

•MSU has strong commitment to serving international students

• It is an honor for OISS staff to work with you

• International education is very important way to learn about others in today’s world

Feelings of last year’s students

• Excited to be here

• Felt a bit lost and confused at the start

• Full of hope, but a bit nervous

• Already homesick missing family & friends

• Frustrated they could not communicate their true intelligence in English

• Very enthusiastic to be here

• Curious about everything

• Feeling overwhelmed….so much to do and so little time

• Worried about money

• Open to new experiences, but not yet comfortable

Information overload

• People only remember 20% of what they hear

• Orientation can be too much

• Must feel comfortable asking questions

• No question is a bad question

Goals for Orientation

• Provide warm welcome to MSU and the community of East Lansing

• Help you make new friends; many of you do not know anyone else here

• Help you know where to go for help later

• Provide information to get you started here

Tips for success

• People will help you if you ask questions • Remember your goals• Keep your sense of humor• Stay open to new experiences• Work to understand the ways Americans do things• Withhold judgment of others• Make use of all resources: people and tech

Conclusion

• We are fortunate you are here

• Your presence on campus enriches MSU

• You have special challenges

• We will do our best to help you

• We are looking forward to knowing you

Announcements

• Introduce OISS staff

• ISO volunteers

• Welcome dinner tickets

• Orientation for parents

• Break out into groups