From the moment they stepped off the plane and throughout their first week in new surroundings, Brock University international students were given a warm welcome as they began their new journey in Canada.

To start their experience on the right foot, students arriving to Toronto Pearson International Airport were met by the smiling face of third-year Political Science student Harman Mann, who came with a signature red Brock welcome sign in hand.

Mann made multiple trips to the airport between Aug. 31 and Sept. 3 to help provide students peace of mind, answer any immediate questions and direct them to the shuttle that would take them to their new home in St. Catharines.  

First-year Business Administration students Mohamad Jawhar, of Lebanon, and Jessie Gyan, of Ghana, met at the new international student orientation day on Sept. 3.

A partnership between Brock International Services and the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU), the airport greeting was one of several initiatives held throughout Welcome Week to help students smoothly transition into academic life at Brock and life in Canada in general.

“We’re excited to welcome a record number of international students,” said Sandra Gruosso, Associate Director, Brock International Services. “Our enhanced support along with ongoing programs and services will make new students transition to Brock and life in Canada a positive and successful experience.”

For many new Badgers, including first-year Business Administration student Mohamad Jawhar from Lebanon, the support eased the transition of living thousands of kilometres away from family for the first time.  

To help students get situated, an international student orientation was held Sept. 3 as part of Welcome Week. The session began with a reception at the International Centre that included food trucks, a ball hockey tournament and an opportunity for students to socialize with their new classmates.

It was during the celebration that Jawhar met and bonded with fellow first-year Business Administration student Jessie Gyan, from Ghana.

The pair connected over their first impressions of St. Catharines — that the city is quieter and filled with more nature than expected — and their disbelief over last week’s high heat. The 32°C days reminded both Jawhar and Gyan more of the weather back home than the cooler temperatures they had read about online before departing for Canada.

Following the reception, students headed to Sean O’Sullivan Theatre for a welcome address by James Mandigo, Vice-Provost, Enrolment Management and International, and a presentation by Brock International Services that focused on programs and services available to international students.

“Brock University is increasingly seen as a destination for internationals students,” said Mandigo. “Our globally-minded community creates an atmosphere where diversity is not just welcomed, but celebrated.”

The orientation day concluded with a guided campus tour and opportunity for students to receive their student card.

The Brock International Open House, a celebration of Brock’s growing international community, was held Sept. 5 to officially kick off the academic year.

During the event, Brock President Gervan Fearon and members of the University’s senior administration greeted faculty, staff and students outside the International Centre, on the east end of the main campus.

“As humanity, we have so many common elements and bonds that connect us to one another,” Fearon said while referencing Brock’s commitment to internationalization.

During the open house Fearon also introduced the 2018-19 International Student Ambassador Award recipients, recognizing students who exemplify the mission and vision of Brock, along with high academic achievements and/or community engagement.

Throughout the week students also had the opportunity to take an escorted shopping trip into St. Catharines, spend an evening under the stars socializing by Brock’s fire pit and participate in a day trip to Niagara Falls.