Weekly social hours, camping trips and garage giveaways are just some of what the University offers to help settle international students into their new lives at UNM.
Jennifer Gruenewald, director of International Programs and Studies, said that although the program has three divisions - study abroad, international students and the Center of English Language and American Culture - the main focus is on helping international students acclimate themselves to living in New Mexico and the United States.
She said the program advises international students about visas, helps them navigate the new educational system and begin a relationship with students and teachers.
"We really try and encourage students to approach faculty during office hours because in some countries there's such a formal relationship that there's not really a chance for interaction," Gruenewald said.
She added that the program also uses funds from the Student Fee Review Board to offer a weekly social hour for international students, sponsor an international festival and devise other activities to help the students socialize with each other.
Simona Fojtova, International Programs adviser, said that the socials are a great way for students to meet others from their home countries or elsewhere. She said attractions include refreshments, door prizes and speakers who are invited to talk about various topics relevant to international students.
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Fojtova said the socials are quite popular and students who are studying different languages attend them.
Another goal, Gruenewald said, is to let international students get a taste of New Mexican culture. She said the program introduces students to American Indian culture by taking trips to pueblos, attending the annual Gathering of Nations and visiting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
In addition, Gruenewald said that International Programs and Studies also offers the Friendship Family program, where international students are matched with local families and meet once a month. She said it is a chance for Albuquerque families and international students to learn about their different cultures.
She said that another program offered is the International Couples Organization. Gruenewald said that some cultures don't allow the student's or scholar's spouses to work. She said it's difficult and isolating for some of the students to come to another country where they don't know anyone, so the organization provides opportunities for people with similar circumstances to meet each other.
Fojtova said because the main influx of international students is in the fall, the program sponsors a large orientation and a garage giveaway. The garage giveaway, she said, is an opportunity for students to get some free household items or computers to help them settle into their new homes.
Fojtova said the program also sponsors a tax workshop in March to provide help for students who are filing their taxes for the first time.
William Yeu, director of the newly reinstated International Student Center, said the center provides a mentoring program to help new international students transition from one country to another. He said the center's staff picks up students from the airport, helps them with paperwork and assists them in finding places to live.
Yeu said the center's second goal is for international students to have someplace to go and be with others who are in similar situations, which could help alleviate homesickness.
He said that the center is also planning several trips around the state and country, including a trip to San Diego during spring break.
"When international students come over here, they want to experience and see as much as they can," Yeu said.
For more information on International Programs and Studies, visit its Web site at www.unm.edu/~oips.
