Fall Semester, 2007

International Student Orientation

 

 

New International Student

Schedule and Information

 

 

July 30 – August 17, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear New Student,

Welcome!  We are delighted that you have chosen to be a part of the Virginia Tech community.

 

This guide is designed to let you know about the many events that are happening each day during orientation.  There is a lot to get done before classes begin, and we would like to assist you so that you will be ready when classes start on Monday, August 20.  We encourage you to read this guide carefully and plan how you will accomplish the necessary steps.  We are happy to help and support you throughout this process.  If you have family members with you, they are welcome and encouraged to attend any of the events or sessions during orientation.  If you need assistance between or after events, there is a Temporary Housing staff member available 24 hours each day in Main Eggleston Hall during the orientation sessions.  We also staff a 24-hour emergency cell phone if you have a problem that needs a staff member’s attention or assistance.

 

Once again, we are glad that you are here and we look forward to getting to know you!

 

Sincerely,

 

The Cranwell International Center Staff

 

Cranwell International Center

Located on the Virginia Tech Campus

 West End of Clay Street, Blacksburg, VA 

http://www.international.vt.edu/cranwell         

8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Friday)

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

540.231.6527                      Office Telephone                               

 

540.230.8747                      Emergency Cell Phone  (Available every day 24 hours) 

 

540.231.3808                                 Fax

 

540.231.7254                      Temporary Housing

 

STAFF

Kim Beisecker, Director                                                      Jennifer Wagstaff, Assistant Director of Student Support

Email:  kbeiseck@vt.edu                                                    Email: jennyw@vt.edu

 

Belinda Pauley, CPS/CAP; Asst to the Director               Diana Housein-Salaita, Coordinator of Support Services

Email:  bpauley@vt.edu                                                      Email:  dsalaita@vt.edu

 

 

Karen Wolfson, Program Specialist                                  Rachel Christensen, Community Liaison

Email:  kwolfson@vt.edu                                                    Email: rachrist@vt.edu

 

Jonathan McCloud, Graduate Assistant                           

Email:  mccloud@vt.edu                                                    

 

International Graduate Student Services – Graduate School

Located at the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown

Rooms 111 and 112

8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Friday)

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

540.231.8486                      Office Telephone                               

 

540.231.3714                        Fax

 

STAFF

Monika Gibson, Director                    Ruth Athanson, Immigration Advisor              Zelma Harris, Immigration Advisor

Email: gibsonm@vt.edu                      Email: Athanson@vt.edu                                    Email: zelma@vt.edu

Week One (July 30 – August 5) - International Orientation Events

Monday, July 30

*Temporary Housing Opens – 128 Main Eggleston.  Remains open until August 14.

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 

Tuesday, July 31

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 

Wednesday, August 1

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

2:00pm

Errand Shuttle – Departs from Main Eggleston

Free transportation to take care of business in the Blacksburg community.

7:00pm

Movie Night - Main Eggleston Lounge

Come relax, enjoy some popcorn, and watch a popular film.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 

Thursday, August 2

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

2:00pm

Errand Shuttle – Departs from Main Eggleston

Free transportation to take care of business in the Blacksburg community.

7:00pm

Board Game Night -  Main Eggleston Lounge

Come relax, enjoy some refreshments and play board games and cards.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 


 

Friday, August 3

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

9:00am

Campus Walking Tour – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join our Orientation Mentors for a tour of our beautiful campus.

11am – 10pm

Blacksburg Stepping Out Town Festival - Next to campus on Main St and College Avenue.  A festival with live music, arts & crafts, and great cuisine!

4:00pm

Cookies & Conversation  - Main Eggleston Lounge

Meet Americans for delicious refreshments and good conversation.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 

Saturday, August 4

11am – 10pm

Blacksburg Stepping Out Town Festival - Next to campus on Main St and College Avenue.  A festival with live music, arts & crafts, and great cuisine!

 

Sunday, August 5

1pm – 4pm

Blacksburg Walking Tour and Picnic – Depart from Main Eggleston

 This tour highlights the history of downtown Blacksburg and ends with a picnic!

5:00pm

Shuttle to Walmart – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join us for a quick trip to Walmart to pick up essential items.

 

Week Two (August 6 – 12) - International Orientation Events

Monday, August 6

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

9:00am

Campus Walking Tour – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join our Orientation Mentors for a tour of our beautiful campus.

1:00pm – 5:00pm

Apartment Tour – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join the off-campus housing staff for a tour of Blacksburg Apartments.

3:00pm

Grocery Shopping in America – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join our Health Educators to learn about nutrition and grocery shopping.

4:00pm

Cookies & Conversation  - Main Eggleston Lounge

Meet Americans for delicious refreshments and good conversation.

6:00pm

Dinner with an American Family – You Must Sign Up in Main Eggleston! Space is limited! Join an American Family for dinner in their home.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 

 

 

Tuesday, August 7

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

9:00am

Campus Walking Tour – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join our Orientation Mentors for a tour of our beautiful campus.

9:00am

Meet the Director of Cranwell – Cranwell International Center Upstairs Office

The opportunity to speak Kim Beisecker, Director of CIC, about anything on your mind!

2:00pm

Errand Shuttle – Departs from Main Eggleston

Free transportation to take care of business in the Blacksburg community.

7:00pm

Movie Night - Main Eggleston Lounge

Come relax, enjoy some popcorn, and watch a popular film.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 

Wednesday, August 8

8:30am – 4:30pm

Welcome/Information Center at Cranwell International Center

Obtain required information pertaining to VT and the community.

9:00am

Campus Walking Tour – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join our Orientation Mentors for a tour of our beautiful campus.

3:00pm

Grocery Shopping in America – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join our Health Educators to learn about nutrition and grocery shopping.

6:00pm

Spaghetti Dinner –Main Eggleston!

Join the Cranwell Staff for a pasta dinner. (Vegetarian option available.)

7:00pm

Campus Legend Tour – Depart from Main Eggleston

Join Jonathon McCloud for a special tour highlighting the myths and legends at VT.

Tasks to Accomplish Today:

 

ό  ________________________________

 

ό  ________________________________

 

<