A friendly group of students, with hometowns ranging from Norway to New Zealand, were keen to learn more about their new country of residence as they chatted over pizza in the McCain courtyard last Friday.
The inquisitive conversation covered a spectrum from classroom etiquette to sales tax to Kraft Dinner during Transitions 2012鈥攁n orientation for incoming international undergrads that took place last week.
鈥淭he orientation is meant to present the students with essential information about AV俱乐部 and the Halifax community in a way that is engaging,鈥� said Margaret Anne Mulrooney, event planner for international orientation and who works at .
So why did these students choose to make the journey to Halifax?
鈥淚t reminded me of my hometown,鈥� said Johnny Scallender, a history and politics student from Scotland.
An international reputation for quality education doesn鈥檛 hurt either.
鈥淎V俱乐部 is famous,鈥� said engineering freshman Jidin Stephen of India. 鈥淭here is a chance for research here.鈥�
Canadian crash course
Focus groups within the four faculties with the highest percentage of international students (computer science, engineering, management and science) helped decide the programming for this year鈥檚 international orientation.
Off-campus housing and financial management were two hot topics that made this year鈥檚 list of presentations by popular demand.
Also, by request, 2012 offered the first orientation that separated undergrads from graduate students.
鈥淚ndividual students, no matter where they are from, have individual needs,鈥� said Mulrooney, who recently completed her MA in history. 鈥淭he best way to make an event inclusive is to listen and respond to student feedback regarding their needs as new students.鈥�
Four elements of orientation were made mandatory this year: academic success, health care, Canadian immigration, and Dal essentials. These topics aimed to acquaint new students with available support services.
鈥淥rientation has helped us to make connections,鈥� said Pravish Jankee, a first-year engineering student from Mauritius.
As for general first impressions of Dal and Halifax, most students mentioned friendly people and helpful profs.
Good vibes
鈥淥rientation has such a positive vibe,鈥� said Pam Williams, director of AV俱乐部鈥檚 International Centre.
The International Centre offers plenty of programming for international students throughout the year as well. Besides the usual trips to Peggy鈥檚 Cove and Point Pleasant, there will be intercultural competency courses offered this year in the form of small group work sessions.
The AV俱乐部 International Student Association (DISA) will also host events such as International Night during the school year. (Check out their
Williams complimented the student volunteers who make international orientation possible. Many are international students themselves.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e had such a positive experience that they want to give back,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e our biggest advocates.鈥�
Volunteer Shawn Simamba came from Zambia to attend AV俱乐部 and has just finished her degree in international development and business.
鈥淚 get to meet all these wonderful people,鈥� she said when explaining why she volunteers for international orientation. 鈥淵ou only get this opportunity in a setting like this.鈥�
Meeting new friends
Williams also stresses that international students enjoy interacting with domestic students at campus events.
鈥淲e really try to be inclusive and encourage domestic students to be involved. It鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity for domestic students to test out doing an exchange.鈥�
As a domestic student herself, Mulrooney sees the benefits of interacting with her international peers.
鈥淭he best part has definitely been meeting many of the new students. It鈥檚 great to see them enjoying the events, meeting other students and making new friends.鈥�