As the school year winds down and summer rapidly approaches, many of you are on the cusp of a new beginning. Many of you have made your college decision; for some, this means traveling halfway around the world, leaving friends, family and countries behind. This is a time of excitement, celebration and bittersweet goodbyes.
However, you will not be entering this new chapter alone. In fact, this past fall, nearly 100 international students made the journey to attend Roger Williams University from all around the globe. Nearly 100 individuals shared a similar experience and spectrum of emotions and asked that ever-present question: How will I adjust?
In the age of e-mail, online chats, cell phones, blogs, personal web pages and new technology like Skype (which allows for real-time, face-to-face communication), your friends are only a click away. The ability to communicate and share experiences internationally has never been easier. So, whether you are leaving friends behind or are just one of the many traveling to study abroad, being in the know and staying connected is right at your fingertips.
Of course, your friends are not the only people you will leave behind. For some of you, this will be the first significant amount of time you have spent away from your family. Being homesick is not an unusual experience for any college freshman. However, for international students, you are faced with being more than a couple states away from home. Luckily for you, there are numerous vacations (just more than 30 days total), long weekends (five of them) and Family Weekend (October 24 to 26). For the exact dates and schedule, download the 2008-09 Academic Calendar.
With simple ways to stay in touch and various opportunities to visit home, the only remaining challenge is the adjustment to a new culture and new environment. Here at RWU, there are multiple services and support systems designed purely to help you acclimate and thrive. The University’s Intercultural Center and Student Advocacy Office work in conjunction to provide services such as Peer Mentoring, the Conversation Partner Program, P.E.E.R workshops (topics ranging from how to deal with stress to body image and healthy eating), and An Hour With (a program that advocates awareness of other cultures, religions and lifestyles). Furthermore, RWU offers emotional and psychological support through the Wellness Office. Whether you are looking to improve your English, for a place to help you cope with emotional fluctuations, or just some common ground to meet new friends, RWU offers all this and more.
Please feel free to contact us further with any questions or concerns you might have about your first year at Roger Williams.
In short: Enjoy your summer, ease your fears and know that RWU is here to help you make this new beginning the best that it can be. See you in the fall!
Your college career will begin with a list. Whether it’s clothing, a family photo, an iPod or just your favorite pillow, there are a few essentials every student needs to bring from home. And as an international student, you’ll face the challenge of checking off a list filled with things like Financial Statement forms, contacting your embassy and completing your I-20. Fortunately, Roger Williams University has some helpful reminders and links that can assist you during your pre-arrival rush.
First and foremost is your deposit. There are two deposits that RWU requires. One is a $200 deposit that secures your admission to the University. The second deposit of $350 is required only if you plan to live in University housing.
The second item to remember is to send in your Financial Statement. The Financial Statement is a contract between you and RWU to ensure full payment for the academic year. Proof of financial support is required before the University can issue the I-20 immigration form. The statement must be signed and certified by you, your sponsor and your sponsor’s financial institution.
The I-20 request form should be the next item on your list. There are a couple important things you need to remember when filling out this form. Your passport and I-20 form must match in order for you to be issued an F-1 visa stamp and be admitted into the United States to study. You are also required to have a non-U.S. address to complete the I-20 form.
If you are an international transfer student, you will need to fill out and send in the F-1 Student Transfer Verification Form. This form needs to be filled out by you and your international student advisor.
In terms of airfare, remember—the earlier you can book your flight, the less expensive it will be. If you are planning to book round-trip tickets, you can refer to the 2008-09 Academic Calendar to determine the best date for your return flight. There are various websites for inexpensive airfare: www.orbitz.com, www.kayak.com, www.travelocity.com, www.onetravel.com and www.hotwire.com, to name just a few.
Also, please remember to send the Office of International Admission a photocopy of your current passport.
Last, but not least, contact the US embassy to set up a visa appointment.
Once you have completed these requirements, you will receive your I-20 form and your Student Arrival Guide, which includes more detailed information and guidelines for what to bring to Roger Williams. Please contact the Office of International Admission for any further questions or concerns.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
The International Admission staff just wrapped up a successful conference at NAFSA and met lots of colleagues. They’ll be headed out again for OACAC in July and hope to meet more of you there for one-on-one information sessions about RWU. E-mail us at intadmit@rwu.edu to set up your appointment.
Stay up to date with international admission events in your area.
July 2008
OACAC Conference
Overseas Association for College Admissions Counseling
East Lansing, Mich.
July 10 to 12
The first in a series of profiles of the International Admissions staff through the eyes of the students with whom they work.
In life, there are always those people that can put you in a good mood, just by being there. Whether it is their smile, their infectious laugh, their easy manner or the way they seem to bounce rather than walk into a room, they are the epitome of welcoming. Here at the International Admission Office, Aimee Fredette is one of those people.
Commonly referred to as the “heart” of the office, Aimee embodies vibrancy and warmth right down to her colorful collection of fuzzy pens, blinking Christmas lights above her desk and eclectic earrings. It is this warmth that makes Aimee the perfect fit for her role as admission associate.
Any international student applying to Roger Williams University goes first through Aimee’s careful hands. She is the first person to review their application and the first person to contact them, moving them forward in the process of being accepted to RWU. Aimee does this job with care, compassion and a special insight into what RWU is like academically for students—she was a student herself for the past four years (she graduated this spring with a degree in business management).
When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Aimee smiled and said that she enjoys being able to meet the International students for the first time face-to-face. “It’s neat remembering a name from an application you saw months ago and then actually meeting that person when they arrive at International Student Orientation,” she said. “It’s great to be a part of a team that can bring these students to Roger Williams.”
Beyond her job of review and initial contact, Aimee also serves as a supervisor and “den mother” to various international student workers for the Admission Office. She enjoys having the chance to see the admissions process through the international students’ eyes. “It’s interesting to watch them learn and understand the admission process from our end and to hear about their experiences and challenges applying to Roger Williams University prior to their acceptance,” she said. “It’s great to be able to bridge those two experiences.”
Aimee is also the only International Admission staff member to not travel. So, while everyone else is away, Aimee is left in control to manage and assist various international students in their efforts to come to RWU. For some, this pressure might be too much. However, Aimee has a unique approach to dealing with potential pressures and stress: “I laugh every day. It helps relieve anything that might be bothering me and it helps me keep upbeat and positive!”
It is this outlook on life, her dedication to the students and her ability to manage both work and attending RWU part time that makes Aimee such an amazing example to everyone in Admissions.