WELCOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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WELCOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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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

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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

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• 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

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Your stories are interesting

• OISS essay contest
• Write your story
• Best essay wins 1,000

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Whats 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

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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

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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

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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?

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• 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

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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

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Look around you

• Everyone else is on the same path
• You have a lot in common with others in this room

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Challenges of being new

• The simplest things are strange
• Using the phone
• Riding the bus
• Knowing where to shop
• Needing the help of others

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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

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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

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MSUs International Community

• 3, 300 students
• 850 faculty and scholars
• 136 countries represented
• 7 of MSU students
• More than 30 international associations and clubs

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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.
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MSUs 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

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• 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 todays world

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Feelings of last years 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

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• 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Announcements

• Introduce OISS staff
• ISO volunteers
• Welcome dinner tickets
• Orientation for parents
• Break out into groups