The University hosts more than 2,000 international students each year from approximately 100 countries across the world. These students have the option of studying for a semester or full academic year, embracing a new culture and meeting foreign students while receiving an education.

Jonathan Weathington, a graduate student in international affairs, said many students stay in Wolf Village or Alexander Hall. Also known as Alexander Global Village, Alexander Hall is the international residence hall and can accommodate 160 students, international and American, each semester.

‘Many students from the United Kingdom and Ireland arrive in the fall semester and stay for an entire year, but a student’s choice of arrival all depends on when the courses are offered,’ Weathington said.

Yingying Lin, a student from Australia, said she chose N.C. State because the classes she needed were provided.

Weathington said all international students are offered an orientation provided by the Study Abroad Office and the Office of International Affairs when they first come to N.C. State. He said a campus packet is provided to all international students at orientation, including maps, courses, student health information and cafeteria options.

‘I was very excited when I got here and the orientation program was very helpful,’ Lin said.

Weathington, who interns with the Study Abroad Office for course registration, said each student is provided with a set schedule when they first set foot on campus.

Janne Rusanen, a business student from Finland, said he arrived at the University in last August and loves it thus far.

‘The classes are much easier here, although there is a lot more homework and attendance is mandatory, unlike Finland,’ Rusanen said.

While others have visited areas of the United States previously, for many international students, this is their first experience.

‘I was born in Finland, but lived on the west coast of the U.S. during elementary school,’ Rusanen said. ‘I’ve been to Vegas before.’

Sam Willimot, a business student from Australia, said she arrived last Friday and is studying for the spring semester. She said the College of Management assigned her a specific mentor to help her with any education differences she may experience throughout the semester.

Lin, Rusanen and Willimot all expressed the initial shock of how large the campus is and the strict structure of the classes.

‘In Australia we call our teachers by their first names, no Mrs. or Mr. It wasn’t very much of a culture change for me when I arrived because Australia is very similar to the U.S., although the student ambassadors in Alexander Hall are very helpful with making us feel comfortable here,’ Willimot said.

Many student ambassadors for international affairs plan informational programs throughout the semester for the foreign students.

‘I believe my ambassador has a bowling night planned for us,’ Rusanen said, ‘and possibly a visit to Washington, D.C. during spring break.’

Weathington said the Study Abroad Office assists all international students with financial help and many students are able to visit through an exchange program, which allows them to pay their home university’s tuition instead of N.C. State’s fees.

‘The Study Abroad Office helped me set up all of my bank accounts, which was very reassuring once I arrived,’ Willimot said.

University students have the option of living with an international student in Alexander Hall by completing an application, which is provided online.