Jet lag was no barrier to the early-morning enthusiasm of AV俱乐部鈥檚 newest crop of world travelers, who showed up in droves for the International Student Orientation on the morning of Friday, September 2.
Globetrotting students congregated outside the SUB鈥檚 McInnes Room for the Deans鈥� Welcome Breakfast that kicked off the event, loading plates with fruit salad and pancakes (and mugs with very necessary coffee) as they broke the ice in a multitude of languages.
As students ate breakfast in the McInnes Room, they were formally greeted by a variety of speakers, starting with the International Centre鈥檚 manager, Pam Williams.
鈥淓ach and every one of you has traveled a different path to arrive here today,鈥� she said. 鈥溾�e feel absolutely blessed to have you.鈥�
She was followed by the International Centre鈥檚 Natalie Wood. 鈥淲hat does everyone think of Canadian maple syrup 鈥� pretty good?鈥� she asked.
Thoughtful advice
Carolyn Watters, Dal's vice-president academic and provost, greeted students while wearing an elegant gown she brought back from a voyage to India. She playfully acknowledged students鈥� concerns about starting at a new school, noting 鈥淚t is a fairly confusing campus, because there are actually three campuses on the campus.鈥� She went on to assure students that, 鈥淚t鈥檚 our purpose to make sure each of you is successful.鈥�
Several speakers 鈥� including Bernard Boudreau (dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies) Michael Pegg (head of the Department of Chemical Engineering) and Robert Summerby-Murray (dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) 鈥� had themselves been international students and were able to commiserate and give advice.
Dr. Boudreau spoke of time spent studying in the States. He advised, 鈥淗ome isn鈥檛 a place. Home is where you are and what you do.鈥�
鈥淚 came from New Zealand 25 years ago, and I never went back鈥� I had no intention of staying in Canada, but here I am,鈥� said Dr. Summerby-Murray, later advising, 鈥渟tay warm and keep your feet dry.鈥�
Family and friends
International students鈥� reasons for choosing to attend AV俱乐部 varied as much as their hometowns.
Kathryn encountered AV俱乐部 鈥渁t a college fair in Massachusetts鈥� they seemed like a good school.鈥� The fact that her mother was born and raised in Nova Scotia probably helped seal the deal.
Both Kathryn's parents accompanied her to the orientation, happy to have the chance to visit. "We like to go to the shore,鈥� says her mother, Christine, 鈥渁nd just kind of relax.鈥�
鈥淎nd eat,鈥� adds Kathryn's father, Bill.
Liyuseno is a graduate student from Ethiopa who received a scholarship to study law at AV俱乐部. He鈥檚 a big fan of Halifax鈥檚 laid-back vibe. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no hassle. It鈥檚 calming.鈥� He also appreciates the ease of navigation. 鈥淵ou can get anywhere using the map.鈥�
Mohanned, from Jordan, is here to study environment and sustainability. 鈥淗alifax is one of the most environmentally friendly places ever,鈥� he says. And it鈥檚 not just our roofs and lighting that are favourably disposed 鈥� Mohanned says Halifax is, 鈥淓xtremely friendly compared to anywhere I鈥檝e been to.鈥�
A studious environment
For Kennisha, from the Bahamas, this is her first year at AV俱乐部, but her second in Nova Scotia.
鈥淢y mother liked the environment,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e always liked Nova Scotia.鈥�
Kennisha studied at SMU last year, but transferred when she decided that AV俱乐部 was more her style. Her areas of study have included marketing and Spanish, but her focus is theatre. 鈥淚 did a lot of speech competitions and elocution in high school鈥� that really opened the door for me.鈥�
Kennisha鈥檚 mother Bernadette accompanied her daughter to the orientation, and she鈥檚 impressed by the studiousness of AV俱乐部 students. 鈥淓ven walking the streets, you see students with their books. Reading and walking.鈥�
Tristana is also from the Bahamas, but she came here with an eye on studying marine biology and Spanish. 鈥淢y mom always wanted me to go to Canada鈥� she was pushing for Dal.鈥�
And is she ready for the Nova Scotia winter - quite the change from what she's used to? 鈥淣o,鈥� she admits.
Read also: "Ready to welcome and support international students"