Vinny Flores (left), an International Student Ambassador and second year Medical Sciences student, helps Raissa Sultana, a Brock International Student Assistant and Master of Science in Biotechnology student, prepare orientation swag packages for January’s incoming international students.While many on campus are winding down a busy Fall Term, the team at Brock International is gearing up to welcome students from around the world in January.
Brock International will provide students with support and guidance during a two-part International Orientation program, which includes a virtual session and an in-person event.
Vinny Flores, a second-year Medical Sciences transfer student in his first year at Brock, says he found orientation extremely valuable.
He advises any international students who might be on the fence about attending orientation to take advantage of the opportunity to get information they’ll need, learn about resources and connect with peers.
“Orientation was really beneficial and made things much easier,” says Flores, who will be serving as a student ambassador at International Orientation in January. “I didn’t really have to worry about where my classes were and practical things like that.”
Raissa Sultana, a master’s in Biotechnology student from Dubai, says her first semester was more difficult than it had to be because she wasn’t able to attend orientation when she arrived at Brock.
She jumped at the opportunity to attend the next available session and made lasting connections at Brock.
“I remember talking to the person next to me and we still talk to this day even though we’re in totally different programs,” says Sultana. “I think introducing yourself to new people, putting yourself in an environment where nobody knows anyone and being having to interact with each other is so important.”
The two-part orientation program takes place during the first weekend of January. Students will attend a virtual session at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3 that will cover practical information about academics, resources available at Brock, immigration information, health insurance information and more. Registration details are available on ExperienceBU.
The second half of the program takes place at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7. This in-person event will help students become familiar with Brock’s campus and learn about services and supports from staff and fellow students. Registration details are available on ExperienceBU.
