Section D · Page 10
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, August 17, 1998
Office helps foreign students adapt to school
By Mariana Palva
Kansan staff writer
Coming to the University of Kansas may be a big change for many students from the United States. But for international students the change is even more complex.
The Office of International Student Services has been helping foreign students apply, enroll and adjust to the campus and a new culture for more than 50 years. The office is located at Room 2 in Strong Hall.
"We have about 1,900 international students enrolled at KU, and every year we receive 600 to 700 new ones," said Lynne Vanahill, assistant director and international-student adviser.
and machinism. Vanahil said the office answered international students' questions about immigration procedures and what kinds of employment their visas allowed.
"Our orientation in the beginning of each semester helps students to reduce their cultural shock." Vanahill said. "I just wish it could be a requirement because many students who haven't attended realize they need our help later."
一 下列每组单词中加一横表示不同意思的单词。共10分
二 按要求完成下面各题。
1. 【    】A. 欢迎光临 B. 欢迎光临 C. 欢迎光临 D. 欢迎光临
2. 【    】A. 欢迎光临 B. 欢迎光临 C. 欢迎光临 D. 欢迎光临
She said that a task force was set up to help Asian students affected by the Asian economic crisis. The task force helped get authorization to increase the hours international students could work while reducing their course load.
ing their course load.
Sandy Gault, coordinator of international admissions, said the office was the first place most international students contacted to ask about studying at the University. Once international students arrive, the office helps them with academic and personal concerns.
The office help Vladimir Sinkov, Pavlovsky Posad, Russia, senior, and his wife Mariel, change their visa status. Both of them will assist incoming students during fall orientation.
"Most of them need help opening a checking account, getting a social security number and finding ways to transfer their funds to the United States," Gault said.
"People in the office are extremely nice, very helpful from the secretary to the director," he said. "They do not have as much bureaucracy as the other departments. They are the only ones who actually listened my problems."
The office also coordinates different programs for international students.
"It is nice to have a host family and get away from the school environment sometimes," said Pia Heinonen, Helsinki, Finland, senior.
For more information about International Student Services contact the office at 864-3617 or the web site at http://www.ukans.edu/issfacts
Group exists where worlds collide
Organization works to bridge student cultures
By Mariana Paiva Kansan staff writer
There are more than 400 student organizations at the University of Kansas, but if one wants to experience the world without leaving campus there is only one place to look: International Student Association.
Part of ISA's mission is to promote international awareness on campus, offering a unique opportunity for international and American students to exchange their cultural experiences.
"This year ISA will try harder to get new students involved in the organization," said Sarah Mai, Roeland Park senior and vice president of ISA. "We want to bring American and international students to a common
Some ISA-sponsored events last year were a visit to the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., ice skating, the World Expo, the Festival of Nations and a variety of theme parties.
circle."
Members of the International Students Association enjoy a Halloween party sponsored by the group. ISA works to bring international and American students together. Contributed photo from ISA.
The World Expo and the Festival of Nations are two of the ISA's biggest events. During the World Expo, international students set up tables with information about foreign countries. It is followed by the Festival of Nations, an event that highlights the culture and entertainment of different regions.
This year the organization will try to partner with other international groups on campus to promote different cultural events, Mai said.
This fall, the forum has changed to an independent organization called the International Leadership Council.
ISA meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at the International Room in the Kansas Union. Elections for officer positions will be held soon, but the
exact date is uncertain, Mai said.
Members of the International Students Association enjoy a night on the town at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. Mo. ISA travels to the Plaza each year to look at Christmas lights. Contributed Photo from ISA.
All positions are open for students who are interested.
Candidates must attend the first meeting and must understand the goals of the organization before being elected, said May Harroll, Salina senior and ISA member.
"People involved in ISA right now can do a good job, but we need something new, someone who just came with a lot of energy," Harroll said.
International Forum meetings have been sponsored by ISA.
The new organization will address the political needs of the University's international community. The president is Sandra Rainero, Italy graduate student.
"I came from a place where 99 percent of the population are Greek Cypriots. I didn't know anything about other countries.Sharing and learning other cultures was the most valuable experience I had at KU."
Pambos Charalambous, Kerynia, Cyprus, graduate student, said that participating in an international organization such as ISA helped him overcome problems and learn more about other countries as well as his own culture.
Pambos Charalambous
Kerynia, Cyprus, graduate student
"I came from a place where 99 percent of the population are Greek Cyprians. I didn't know anything about other countries," he said. "Sharing and learning other cultures was the most valuable experience I had at KU."
Charalambous has represented the Greek area of Cyprus in the World Expo and the Festival of Nations for four years.
He said the Festival of Nations was the best activity ISA sponsored because it allowed people to show their artistic skills.
For more information about ISA contact Sarah Mai at 864-4848.
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