About 85 transnational education and exchange students representing 15 countries were welcomed to Western Michigan University at a campus reception on August 27 during the International Student Orientation and Registration Program.

The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences continues to draw the largest group, attracting 27 students from WMU TNE partners and one exchange student, followed by the Haworth College of Business, which for fall semester enrolled 23 new TNE students and four students from WMU exchange partners . The balance of the students enrolled in the Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Education and Fine Arts Colleges.

New students enjoyed American appetizers and socializing

WMU President John M. Dunn attended the reception and told the new arrivals that meeting international students when he was in college was a life-changing experience.

WMU President John M. Dunn made his rounds of the tables before welcoming the group

“You are joining a university community with students and faculty members who come from more than 80 countries,” Dunn said. “You bring with you the rich traditions of your home nations, your communities and your families. You may come to us to expand your own horizons, but your presence here expands the world for many of our students. You'll meet American students who come from small communities and have not traveled internationally or had the opportunity to live and work with people from other cultures. You'll find them eager to get to know you. Believe me, I know. I was a student like that once. I grew up in a small town in Illinois, and I had opportunities to live and work with international students like you when I began my studies at Northern Illinois University. It changed my life.”

A chance to eat and socialize was a welcome break
at the conclusion of the third day of orientation

Crista Mathew was born and raised in Kuwait, but is of Indian descent and decided in high school that she wanted to attend college in India. She met a WMU recruiting representative in Kuwait and learned about the WMU TNE program at Christ College in Bangalore, India.

“Both schools looked pretty interesting online,” said Mathew, who is majoring in accounting, “but it was the face-to-face contact with the person from WMU that helped me make the decision. When you read about a university online you will understand about 80 percent of what they have to offer—meeting someone from WMU helped me fill in the other 20 percent. I studied two years in India and will now study for two years here.”

Mathew has already joined WMU’s International Programs Council (link) and the Indian Student Association. Her long-term academic goal is to become a certified public accountant.

A native of Hong Kong, Mingho Lai followed in his sister’s footsteps in choosing WMU’s transnational education program offered through Saint Too College. At the reception, he reported being pleased about what he had seen of Kalamazoo and WMU’s campus and all that he was learning at orientation.

Mingho Lai (at right) made some new friends at the reception

“Western is very nice,” said Lai, a business major. “If I have a problem, I just ask and the orientation leaders give me the correct answer. The orientation is very good. They teach us how to register for classes, how to find a job, and give us tips on how to find a car and get some training to drive. All these things are very useful. The evening sessions are recreational and great, especially because they help us meet new friends.”

President Dunn concluded his remarks at the reception by encouraging the students to stay in touch.

“I look forward to getting to know you,” Dunn said. “When you see me on campus, please stop me, introduce yourself and let me know how things are going for you. I really want to know what is working for you and whether there are things we can do better.”

For more information about WMU’s Transnational Education and exchange programs, visit the Haenicke Institute Web site: http://international.wmich.edu