welcome international students. dreams and plans this is a moment you will remember you planned this...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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