Knoxville, Tenn. — Students from across the globe gathered Saturday, August 15, at the Ken and Blaire Mossman Building on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus for New International Student Orientation hosted by the Division of Global Engagement.
Orientation marks the first time many international students set foot on campus, arriving to begin their journey as Volunteers — with students in attendance ranging from undergraduate to Ph.D. candidates and everything in between.
“I like to do outdoors activities and [with the] Smoky Mountains nearby, and like all the other falls and rivers, I [thought] this would be a cool place. So that’s why I’m here,” Piyush, a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering from Nepal, said. “… So far, I’ve been enjoying Tennessee. I’ve been enjoying folks over here and I’m looking forward to my stay here.”
For Rosha, a business student from Germany attending UT as an exchange student, coming to Knoxville was her first choice with Korea and Spain as other options.
“You always want to go to America when you haven’t been here before,” she said.
The orientation covered topics ranging from immigration compliance to UT traditions like painting The Rock. Lorin, another German exchange, was happy to have a soft landing on campus.
“It’s awesome,” she said. “I got picked up from the airport … through the International House, it was pretty nice. I wasn’t so lost right in the beginning.”
Vice Provost for Global Engagement, Gretchen Neisler, Ph.D., provided an early welcome to students before handing things over to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
“Welcoming a new class of international students to our campus is always one of the highlights of the Division,” Neisler said. “UT is thrilled to have graduate, undergraduate and exchange students from around the world. Sharing their culture and knowledge with the Knoxville community is such a significant part of our campus. I am glad that they persevered and are settling into the new academic year. We are committed to creating a transformational experience for each student joining us from abroad.”
Justin and Prossy, a pair of master’s students from Rwanda enrolled in the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, are excited to explore what the East Tennessee region has to offer, visit farms, and learn from their professors to help benefit Rwanda when they return home.
Mergaret, a master’s student zooarcheology from Kenya, arrived in Knoxville on July 1. Having spent more than a month in Knoxville, she feels good about her choice to come to UT.
“I think everyone is so welcoming, everyone is so wholesome,” she said.
For more information on Global Engagement, and to find resources for international students, visit global.utk.edu.