Welcome to Campus: International Students Kick Off New Journey With Office of International Program’s Orientation

As the new academic year begins, our campus has been energized by the arrival of a vibrant and diverse group of international students, about 65 degree program students and 10 exchange students. To help these students transition smoothly into their new environment, the Office of International Programs (OIP) recently hosted orientation sessions designed to introduce them to campus life, essential resources and wider community. 

Students from over 15 countries gathered for orientation, where they were warmly welcomed by the Associate Provost, Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., and OIP staff on Wednesday, August 20, on the first day of Move-in Day. The week prior, OIP staff also welcomed seven new Law School students at the Newark Campus. The orientation sessions provided valuable information about visa requirements, health services, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), student activities, campus safety and Career Center resources. Thank you to all the campus partners who helped welcome the international students. Banking and cell phone resources were also shared with students by off-campus businesses. 

As part of the orientation, we also addressed topics related to cultural adjustment to ensure students feel informed, supported and ready to thrive in their new environment. We were honored to welcome guest speaker Deepesh Dhingra, executive director of One To World, a nonprofit organization serving the New Jersey/New York region of which Seton Hall is a proud member. Deepesh shared his personal journey as an international student and spoke candidly about the challenges he faced upon arriving in the U.S. He also introduced the many opportunities One To World offers, including social events that help students connect with others in the area, and volunteer programs that allow international students to share their cultures with K–12 students in local classrooms.

To make the orientation experience both engaging and interactive, new students were encouraged to participate in a scavenger hunt game. This fun and fast-paced activity encouraged students to explore key buildings and service locations such as Bayley Hall, Walsh Library, Richie Regan Recreation and Athletic Center, the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and the Office of international programs. Working in small teams and braving the rain, students followed clues, completed challenges and interacted with staff at each stop, learning about campus resources in a hands-on way.

"Thank you OIP for all your efforts and time in organizing the event. I had a great time today, especially the Scavenger Hunt. The orientation was really informative and helpful too,” Freshman student Joseph Mondia from the School of Diplomacy and International Relations shared.

OIP Director, Johanna Pan-Carr echoed this sentiment, highlighting how activities like the scavenger hunt help build a sense of community early on. "Getting to the U.S. as an international student involves a lot of effort, time and resources. It’s important for our international students to feel connected and supported from the start," said Johanna "This experience not only familiarizes them with our campus, but also connect students with each other before everything starts on campus."

With orientation complete, international students are now settling into classes, campus life and the exciting journey ahead. As they bring fresh perspectives, cultures, and ideas to our university, we look forward to all the ways they will enrich our community.

Welcome, international students — we are so glad you are here!

Categories: Campus Life, Nation and World