It is said that variety is the spice of life, and an impressive congregation of international students proves this at ULM every day.
This semester, ULM welcomes 55 new students from outside the United States. They join almost 200 international students who have been drawn to ULM from all parts of the world to take part in academics, athletics or other pursuits.
Many of these students learned about ULM through online advertisements, mailers, magazines or just by word of mouth. At some countries’ U.S. embassies, information on studying in the U.S. is provided to students wishing to explore the possibilities of an American education both for undergraduate and graduate study. Of about 50 represented at ULM, those with the most students include Nigeria, Nepal, India and Canada.
These students’ transitions are made possible through the efforts of ULM’s International Students and Services Office. According to Mara Loeb, director of the program, the staff acts as facilitators to international students.
“We advise [students] on immigration documents, and we help them adjust to our culture,” she said. “We also report to the Department of Homeland Security, keep documents up to date and help with housing.”
Gabriel Silva, a freshman finance and political science major from Brazil, said he is thoroughly enjoying his time at ULM.
“I went to high school in this area when a family picked me to live with them, and I came to some ULM games and liked the environment here,” he said. “Here, everyone is known, and you can have a good relationship with a professor…if you need help, all you need to do is ask.”
New programs are in place to help international students adapt to a new way of life and feel more at home in the United States. The American Conversation Partners program, in which an American student is matched with an international student, allows unfamiliar students to learn more about English and U.S. culture firsthand. Additionally, the international student lounge, known as Culture Connection, has been launched on the first floor of Strauss Hall. It creates an atmosphere of relaxation and comfort for foreign students, and it is equipped for Skype and multicultural media.
Recruitment of new students is an ongoing goal with University President Nick Bruno, who pledged to increase the number of international students at ULM. A new negotiation with South Korea was just completed, and contact with schools in China is currently underway. The International Student Expo, which will take place in November, allows both domestic and international students to learn about other cultures and find out about study abroad programs in other countries.
Loeb said she continues to be astounded by the personas and abilities of international students. “They are amazingly resilient, bold, brave and adventurous,” she said. “They bring the world to ULM.”
