Lorenzo Orlandi, a soccer player from Italy, getting settled into his room at McPherson College.
Each fall, McPherson College welcomes students from around the world to campus, and this year is no exception. The college is welcoming one of the largest groups of international students from as far away as Hungary, Columbia, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Nigeria, and the Netherlands, among other countries.
Feeling at home is very important for students thousands of miles away from family. The McPherson College community contributes to making them feel welcome from their first days on campus. This year, several faculty and staff donated items to help furnish the students’ rooms, and the Student Affairs staff ensured each student had the items they needed to feel comfortable.
“Most international students arrive on campus very late after long flights,” said Sarah Wood, director of student life. “When we pick them up from the airport, we do everything we can to help them feel welcome, and when they get to their rooms, they are furnished with necessities like bedding, basic school supplies, personal hygiene items, and non-perishable food items.”
Daniela Jimenez, a volleyball player from Colombia was one of the students arriving on campus this fall.
“When I got here and saw the basket with all those things, it made me feel so welcome,” she said. “It is hard when you are an international student, getting to a new place where you don’t know anyone, and you have to figure out how to get your own stuff. The basket of food, shower stuff, bed sheets, and everything else was amazing and very helpful. It made me feel that people care about each other here.”
Most of the international students are members of Bulldog athletic teams and learn about the college through conversations with their coaches. While they look forward to participating in their sport, they are also eager to start classes.
“I connected right away with my coach,” said Stephanie Schmidt, a track & field athlete from Germany. “I plan on majoring in biology and hope to go back to Germany for medical school. McPherson College seemed the perfect choice for me to do sports and study.”
In the first week on campus, before classes start, international students participate in activities that help them get to know other students, get acclimated to campus life, and learn about important academic and student services available to them.
“After I arrived, I felt so good about making this choice,” said Lorenzo Orlandi, a soccer player from Italy. “All of the activities we have been doing make you feel more at home, and when you are 8,000 kilometers away from home, that is important. When you’re this far away, it feels good to be comfortable and safe.”
Student-athletes and international students began arriving on campus August 6 and continue through August 12. First-time freshmen check-in on August 15. Classes begin on August 21.