July 22, 2005

Purdue plans welcome for international students

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – As summer winds down, Purdue University is making plans to welcome more than 1,000 international students to campus before classes start Aug. 22.

Graduate and professional program students will begin arriving at the Purdue campus on Aug. 8; undergraduate students will start moving in Aug. 13.

While many new students face challenges, getting adjusted is even harder for international students, said Michael A. Brzezinski (bre-ZIN-skee), director of International Students and Scholars.

"Going away to college is often difficult, but when a student attends college in another country, the challenges increase," Brzezinski said. "Purdue is dedicated to helping international students succeed. Our orientation program is tailored for students from abroad, helping them with everything from finding their way around campus to making friends."

Special orientation offerings will include a variety of activities, including presentations in a lecture hall, campus tours and picnics. A special graduate student picnic and barn dance will be held 4:30-9 p.m. Aug. 12 at Prophetstown State Park.

Graduate students will attend orientation sessions Aug. 8-12, and the orientation program for undergraduate students is Aug. 15-19.

"Orientation gives students a great chance to get acquainted with Purdue and to meet other students," Brzezinski said. "Even though international students come from many different countries, they share common challenges as well as a common excitement about attending Purdue."

The annual welcome reception for international students will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19 in the North Ballroom at Purdue Memorial Union. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will deliver the main address.

Support for international students will not end there, however. Brzezinski said the Office of International Students and Scholars offers an ongoing orientation program and a variety of educational and cultural events throughout the school year.

"Having a diversified student body is good for everyone on campus," Brzezinski said. "Students from abroad bring a rich cultural heritage and different views of the world and different ways to solve problems – these differences enrich our classroom environment."

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Michael A. Brzezinski, (765) 494-5770, mbrzezinski@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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