Foreign students learn of campus

Every year thousands of students leave home, some for the first time, to come to IU. They take multi-stop flights from far away as China, New Zealand, Nigeria, Germany and Argentina. It is this great milieu of diverse backgrounds that rejuvenates IU with new life every year and enriches the academic experience here.\nHowever, the period before their freshmen year begins is both an exciting and daunting period for many incoming international students. For many it is not only their first time moving away from their families but also their first time coming to the U.S. \nTo help international students acclimatize, the University annually hosts international student orientation about a week before freshmen orientation. Separate orientations are hosted for undergraduate and graduate students. The core part of international student orientation begins Aug. 15 and last four days, after which all incoming freshmen are integrated into the orientation process. The four days of international student orientation include information sessions, an English proficiency exam, academic advising, and daily social events.\nIU alumnus Aiyan Bhutta from Pakistan said he remembered his first experiences at IU during international student orientation.\n"There was a reception for international students, and that is where they made us aware of the different resources we could go to for help, like Writing Tutorial Services, Student Legal Services, etc.," Aiyan said. "There was also a karaoke night that gave us a chance to meet other individuals from various backgrounds and get comfortable in an unfamiliar environment quickly."\nSenior Tae Ho Lee from South Korea had spent four years in the U.S. before enrolling at IU. He said his experience during international student orientation was mixed.\n"They didn't target the students correctly. Some of us were very well accustomed to the life in the states," he said. \nLee said he found information sessions about student visa regulations helpful but added he all ready knew most of the information he was provided with that week. The student visa information session informs international students of the procedures and regulations they must adhere to during their years of study in U.S. For example, students on student visas may only be employed by the University and are not permitted to work more than 20 hours a week. There are also various immigration forms that the Office of International Services must sign in order for foreign students to reenter the country after traveling abroad.\nSenior Tareq Al Rabe from Kuwait will be completing his studies at IU next week. He plans on returning to his home country soon and said he will miss many of the friends he made early in his freshman year. \n"Orientation was the starting point of most of my friendships at IU," he said. "With a few days left till my graduation, I will be saying goodbye to many of the friends that I first said hello to during orientation"