May 1998
International Students Welcomed at Conference For international students enrolled at UMass Boston, a first-time conference on September 2 served as an official welcome "to the University, to Boston, and to the United States," according to Michael Mahan, coordinator of International Student Services. Organized by Mahan and Lurlene Van Buren, assistant to the coordinator, the event was held in the University Club as part of international student orientation, and attracted approximately 120 students representing 33 countries.
Attended by new undergraduate and graduate international and exchange students, the theme of the conference was cultural adjustment. Students were provided with information on housing, banking, insurance, and immigration issues. They were introduced to student life opportunities at the University, encouraged to get to know one another, and invited to participate in a discussion about cultural issues. The discussion was lead by J. Scott Van der Meid, who directs European study abroad programs at Boston University's Office of International Programs.
Provost Richard Lyons gave the opening remarks. Included in the audience was a student from the Czech Republic sponsored by philanthropist Charles Merrill, and two exchange students from the prestigious Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques in Paris, France.
In addition to the conference, the Office of International Student Services is planning several initiatives addressing the needs of international students. One is a collaborative effort between the office and the Clinical Psychology Department. PhD. Candidate Laura Wald is currently overseeing a series of workshops addressing cultural issues.
The International Student Conference will be held again for new students in January and at the beginning of every semester thereafter. The Office for International Student Services is located on the third floor of McCormack Hall, in the University Advising Center.
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