Post-arrival information sessions for Ball State University international students

Abstract

The creative project was designed to extend orientation information sessions for incoming international students at Ball State University. Through a four-week seminar series covering resources, campus services, transportation, and American culture, the students would gain a better understanding of the collegiate and local community. The current orientation sessions offer important information about immigration, maintaining visa status, health insurance, and financial requirements. However, international students are unaware of the supplementary resources given to all students. The goal of the post-arrival sessions is to answer any questions not covered during orientation about the university and correlate sessions with academic, social, and personal needs. By collecting brochures and fliers from various departments (i.e., Career Center, Library, Learning Center, and Counseling Center), students can be better prepared for their short or extended stay. The information sessions and presentations allow students to meet each other, learn about campus and local resources, and reduce individual advising appointments with professional staff.