Andy Stacey (Australia, left) and Gaia Villatora Milic (Italy, right) get to know one another during a “speed meeting” exercise

During the second week of January, the International Programs Center (IPC) welcomed 112 international exchange students to our campus, including 56 new students and 56 returning for their second semester. After arriving at UNCG, the students participated in a week’s worth of orientation activities, including information sessions, tours of campus facilities, outings to downtown Greensboro, and meeting their PALs and Staff PALs. IPC staff presented several information sessions on a variety of topics, including academic advising and registration, payment options, maintaining a student visa, co-curricular opportunities and activities, and life in Greensboro and the US in general.

Presentations were also given by staff, faculty, and representatives from University Police, Residence Life, Division of Student Affairs, the Spartan Card Center, the Student Success Center, Student Health, the Bryan School of Business and Economics, and Wells Fargo. Students were also invited to participate in several fun on- and off-campus activities throughout the week, including a trip to Four Seasons Mall, a Spartan Men’s Basketball Game, and the first Friday Fest of 2013.

This semester, we added a new peer-bonding activity to orientation week. All new international exchange students, UNCG student volunteers, and some PALs participated in a “speed meeting” exercise that allowed students to converse with several of their peers for 90-second intervals over the course of 30 minutes. Afterwards, the students were able to mingle with each other during the hot chocolate social.

IPC also welcomed 34 new degree-seeking international students, comprised of 21 undergraduate students and 13 graduate students. Among this number are also the first students from Côte d’Ivoire and Slovakia. As part of getting adjusted to life on campus, these students attended a four-hour orientation session with Michael Elliott and Norma Velazquez. These sessions covered administrative issues, on- and off-campus resources, visa and immigration issues, and full-time student status. During orientation week and throughout the semester, IPC is always thankful for the help and support we receive from faculty, staff, and our student volunteers in welcoming our international students. A special thanks to everyone who helped make this semester’s orientations a success. We look forward to a great semester!

Interested in volunteering at IPC? Want to help organize future IPC events? Please contact us at ipc_desk@uncg.edu or call (336) 334-5404.