Welcome To Our New Internationals!

Nashville Tour, Aug. 19, 2016

I hope everyone will join me in welcoming our new international student for the Fall 2016 Semester! We had a great group for orientation last Wednesday. The final numbers are not available yet, but it was very near 200!

Last Thursday, we had several take advantage of our Walmart trips. Then, that evening, we had our annual Welcome Picnic. What a great crowd, and they loved the Jim 'n Nicks BBQ. A true taste of American cuisine.

On Friday, we took 30 of them to Nashville for our annual Nashville Tour. Not even the rain dampened their interest in what our nearest neighboring city has to offer. They saw the Farmers Market, State Capitol, War Memorial Plaza, and Downtown Nashville. Many want to find their way back soon to explore even more.

Saturday saw the annual Great Giveaway bless many of them with free items to set up their residence. Annually, this event helps students with bedding, furniture, cookware, dinnerware, etc. Thanks to Raiders For Christ for their willingness to help our students with such wonderful things.

Now, the students are ready to get to the "nitty gritty" of why they are here; studies. We wish everyone the best in their classes. You are the cream of the crop from around the world. Make us proud!

See you soon!

Volunteer Opportunity

MTSU's international population has a growing number of students and scholars who are bringing their children with them when they come to our campus. With this growth, we are looking to begin programming designed specifically for these families. In the past, they are welcome to bring them to most of our activities, but if you remember being a child, you will remember not wanting to spend all of your time around "grown-ups." Children have different needs for entertainment, and children who have moved to a completely different culture are not different. Even the parents of these children have needs that are different from most traditional students.

Therefore, we are looking for volunteers. If you love children, and would love to help out your fellow international students with events designed specifically for families and children, please contact the ISSS office. We will get together with those who are willing to volunteer and put together various activities with these families in mind. The events can be educational, games, or a combination of both. The sky is the limit, as they say. Then, once we have them planned, you'll be able to help put them together so they have a great time.

This is just another way for you to get involved in the growing international community here at MTSU!

Welcome Reception, Follow Up

We had a great time yesterday at the semi-annual Welcome Reception. In fact, we ran out of coffee and hot chocolate! We've never done that before, even in years when it was colder outside. There were students from the US, France, Japan, India, and Indonesia. I think we even had a few from China and Saudi Arabia that dropped in and out quickly.

Thanks to all who came out!

The group grew...

...and grew.

New International Student Welcome Reception

Today, we are hosting our semi-annual welcome reception for our new international students. All are welcome to join us. Light refreshments will be available. The reception will begin at 4pm in the James Union Building (JUB) Hazelwood Room. Go up the main steps to the building, into the lobby, and follow the hall to the left. You can't miss us!

Whether you are new to campus, or have been here a few semesters, this always provides a great opportunity to meet new international, or catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while. We hope you'll join us to greet and welcome our new students.

Photos to follow...

Welcome!

In an attempt to keep you, the international community at MTSU, up-to-date on everything we have happening, we have created this blog to post event reminders and event follow-up. By visiting on a regular basis, you will always know what is coming. You can also find photos and reviews of events that have taken place. You can also use the site to comment on events.

Another use for the site will be for us to keep you informed of important dates and events that you can use to stay connected with the campus, as a whole, or items that are important to help you maintain your immigration status. It will also be used to direct prospective and new students through the application and orientation process.

Overall, we hope you will find this site informative and relevant.