On August 22, USF World was thrilled to meet many of our new international students, along with a record number of parents, at our recent day-long welcome event. We鈥檙e excited to share with our students all the incredible opportunities that USF and the Tampa Bay region have to offer. The welcome sessions in the new global student center in the Faculty Office Building were designed to connect these students with the resources, support and knowledge they will need to succeed throughout the year. The comprehensive orientation also encourages students to take full advantage of what USF has to offer them. Walking into the event, students immediately noticed the colorful flags from dozens of different countries hanging from the ceiling and welcoming decorations, including a photo booth. The welcoming environment set the stage for the students to make new friends from all over the world. At first, students began to tentatively introduce themselves to one another, becoming fast friends as they walked from booth to booth, chatting about majors and their hopes while at USF.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to connecting with more international students because they鈥檙e in the same situation as me,鈥� Laura Marzullo says. Ready to start the semester, Marzullo comes from Brazil and is studying economics this Fall. Parents Louis and Belinda Miller came from South Africa to drop their daughter Jessica off at college. 鈥溩钚绿烀来� is one of the only universities in Florida that facilitates Jessica鈥檚 major in supply chain management.鈥� Having transferred from Arkansas, Miller is excited to meet new people and experience new cultures.
The event featured numerous booths that provided resources, services and information that will assist international students to feel at home at USF. The International Student Success team greeted students as they walked in, ready to point them to the various resources they may need. Representatives from the USF Student Health and Wellness Center, Global Network Program, Office of International Services, Counseling Center, Center for Urban Transportation and Research, International Student Support, and even local phone and banking services were present.
鈥淚 am really looking forward to networking and getting started in my major,鈥� Fabio Casapino says. 鈥淚鈥檓 interested in Finance because my father has always been passionate about it.鈥� Casapino came to USF from Peru to study Finance.
Another great aspect of this event was the hour-long information sessions meant to prepare international students for a safe and enjoyable experience at USF. Led by Janna Eveland, Assistant Director of the International Student Success and team, these sessions gave students the tools they need to be safe while pursuing a wonderful and enriching campus experience.
鈥淭he welcome events are my favorite part of the semester. It鈥檚 very gratifying to greet new students in person, after the countless emails, webinars and instant chats back and forth once they are accepted. It makes the work worth it,鈥� Eveland says. 鈥淚t is my sincere hope that our effort to orientate students even makes the smallest contribution to their successful journey at USF. The International Student Support team thrives when they see international students thrive.
Natalia Herrera, a psychology major from Panama, is looking forward to the semester starting. 鈥淚 love that there are people from all over the world here at USF,鈥� Herrera says. 鈥淚t feels really home-y.鈥�
As part of the partnership between USF World and USF Athletics, we are proud to hold International Nights throughout the year for international students to recognize our international athletes and to introduce new students to athletics at USF. The first International Night will launch in September (details forthcoming). You can read about the mostly international USF women鈥檚 basketball team and their coaches global recruitment here.