Purdue to welcome new international students with activities

"These students aren't just coming to a new town. They are coming into a new culture," said Michael Brzezinski, director of Purdue's Office of International Students and Scholars. "We want their transition to be smooth, friendly and as quick as possible."

Shortly after they arrive on campus, international students will be required to attend a daylong orientation that covers topics such as how to maintain their legal status in the United States and obtain driver's licenses, health and auto insurance. Academic topics will include class registration, tuition payment and academic honesty.

International graduate students will attend orientation on Aug. 10 and undergraduates are scheduled to attend Aug. 16. Both days conclude with picnics at Squirrel Park organized by local churches.

The remainder of the first week includes activities designed to help students acclimate to their new community. The schedule includes an additional church-sponsored picnic and a bus tour of Lafayette. Other events also include:

• A trip to Wal-Mart from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 11.

• A Prophetstown picnic and barn dance from 4:30-9:30 p.m. Aug. 11.

• A picnic at Squirrel Park from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 19.

• A trip to Warren Dunes State Park and Beach from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 26.

• A pizza party and a Lafayette bus tour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sept. 1.

Huafei Liao, an industrial engineering doctoral student from China, said the orientation week programs were very helpful to students like him who have never been to the United States.

"I was like a little kid. I didn't know anything," Liao said. "I didn't have a credit card. I didn't know where to go shopping. I didn't even know where to eat."

Purdue Provost Sally Mason will speak to approximately 300 new students at a reception at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Purdue Memorial Union North Ballroom. At the reception, a community volunteer who has helped international students will be honored with the Kingsley Wu Award. The award is named for a Purdue professor who donated time, money and skills to assist international students. President Jischke also will meet with the parents of undergraduate students at a reception on Aug. 17 at the home of Riall Nolan, dean of international programs.

This year's freshman class will be Purdue's largest ever, and the number of new graduate students is up this fall after several years of decline since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Brzezinski credits Purdue's 10-year international recruiting effort and improvement in visa application processes. Many of the students arrive from Asian countries such as India, China, South Korea, Tawain and Indonesia.

"Purdue has worldwide name recognition and a reputation for academic quality and excellent support services," Brzezinski said. "We actively recruit international students, encourage them to make quick decisions to attend Purdue, and then we quickly process their paperwork. We do everything to make Purdue as attractive and welcoming as possible."

Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu

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

Huafei Liao, (404) 200-7210, liaoh@purdue.edu

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

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