Alfred University holds orientation, meet and greet event for international students

ALFRED, NY –Alfred University hosted an event Monday afternoon in the Knight Club, Powell Campus Center, to welcome new international students to campus. Nearly 20 students attended the 2022 Immigration Orientation for new international students, organized by the International Student Services office in the University’s Admissions Department.

Allison Church, associate director of international enrollment, gave a presentation outlining important information on a number of topics, including documents required to maintain student visas, as well as how academic performance can impact visa status; requirements for health insurance; guidelines for obtaining employment and internships; volunteer opportunities; rules for traveling outside the United States; and how to obtain a driver’s license.

Brian Ngatunga, a computer science major from Tanzania, Africa, spoke to the group about the International Student Organization (ISO). The ISO had been defunct, and Brian is leading efforts to resurrect the organization. He spoke about the need for international students to have an organization like the ISO, which provides resources that will help them acclimate to campus life in a new country.

“For some of you, this is your first time” in the United States, Brian said. “When you go to a new place, you need family and community.”

There are currently about 130 international students enrolled at Alfred University, Church said. Recent efforts to recruit international students has led to an increase not only in enrollment, but in the diversity of the students’ home countries. “This has resulted in the addition of students from countries we have not previously had represented on our campus, including Tanzania, Bangladesh, Pakistan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Kazakhstan, Ecuador, Columbia, Russia, and many more,” she noted.

Church said the ISO works with the Robert McComsey Career Development Center and the Alumni Office in University Relations to create networking opportunities possibly leading to employment and internships.

John Lewis, director of Student Activities, talked about opportunities provided to students through the Center for Student Involvement. “If you are looking to join clubs or organizations, please come see us,” Lewis said.

Brian Saltsman, director of Student Diversity and Inclusion, said he was pleased to hear of the resurgence of the International Student Organization, and spoke of the importance of students sharing their different cultures on campus.

“We’re learning from you, and you’re learning from us,” said Saltsman, who encouraged students to explore the resources provided by the University’s Center for Cultural Unity. “We are one university, one community. We want you to share your cultures with us.”