26. September 2008

Preventing the Culture Shock

International welcome week helped foreigners to settle in

New York City is called a melting pot quiet often, but this name would also perfectly fit to Coventry University. Students from over 100 countries gather together at this central point in England to study, party and enjoy. But coming to a new country might not be as easy as one might think. Sassan Gholiagha, a 24-year-old German, doesn’t feel completely at home yet. “Everything is still unfamiliar to me, but welcome week helped me settling in a lot”, he states. His new friend Ismo Hirvonen from Finland nods his cap-covered head. “I would definitely recommend this week to anybody, as I now see some classmates being lost without that induction of last week”, he explains.
The welcome week for international students was organised by the International Office of Coventry University. For £150 the new students from around the world got a week packed with information and fun. Tours around town and campus, workshops in British culture, information about career possibilities, lots of opportunities to meet new people and basically a party each night are just some of the choices the students had.
30-year-old Angie Gabrielson from the United States attended the welcome week herself one year ago and wanted to give something back now, so she worded as an International Student Ambassador. “It’s just great meeting the new students at the airport and seeing their relief once they recognise you”, she says and points to her lime-green ambassador shirt. “Actually I don’t really like the shirt, but that way everyone just finds us easily, so we can help. And that’s what we’re here for.” About 20 International Student Ambassadors helped the Universities welfare team during welcome week. And just like the attending students the Student Ambassadors are from around the world. Chen Zhang is originally from China. In her second year as an International Student Ambassador the 21-year-old still likes it: “I’m actually sad that it’s already over! I would love to do it for another week!”