On 14 September, nine incoming exchange students and two international degree-seeking students from six countries started their orientation at UIC.
Nine exchange students and three student helpers
Coming from Thailand, USA, Germany, France, Japan and South Korea, these students were given an introduction to Zhuhai and UIC by the Director of the International Development Office (IDO), Dr Katharina Yu. She explained how the recent typhoons have delayed the development of the new campus as well as explaining that UIC will host the Liberal Arts Forum later this year.
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The incoming exchange students came from UIC partners, which include Mahidol University International College in Thailand, Towson University in the USA, Pforzheim University in Germany, Lille Catholic University in France, iCLA in Japan as well as the University of Seoul in South Korea. The two international degree-seeking students are both from South Korea. Six of the students have studied Chinese before so they already have some skills to help them to settle into Zhuhai.
Later, Administrative Officer of IDO, Jessica Xiao, talked about upcoming events such as the High Table Dinner as well as briefing the students on other important matters.
The exchange students were given a guided tour around the new campus
Representatives from the Whole Person Education Office (WPEO), Academic Registry (AR), Information Technology Service Centre (ITSC) as well as the Student Affairs Office (SAO) gave an introduction and told the international students what they can offer them. After that, the students were given a tour around the Learning Resource Centre.
At the new campus
On the morning of 15 September, the students were given a tour of the new campus by Senior Administrate Assistant of IDO, Kayla Hwang, as well as three student helpers, Nancy Xie, Beca Qian, and Cherry Teng. Later on, they took part in a placement test to see which class they would be placed in for their Chinese language study.
Malte Witting, a German exchange student from Pforzheim University, said "I choose UIC for an exchange Semester because it is a unique experience. I am the only student in my class who went to China" when asked why he chose to come to UIC.
Visiting the iconic Fisher Girl Statue
Finally, the exchange students got to have some fun and were shown around Zhuhai on 16 September. Guided by staff from IDO as well as the student helpers, the exchange students visited the Zhuhai Fisher Girl statue in addition to visiting the Putuo Temple. The day ended with a shopping experience around Walmart and Gongbei underground market.
Reporter: Samuel Burgess (MPRO)
Photographer: Samantha Burns (MPRO), Jessica Xiao (IDO)
Editor: Deen He, Samantha Burns (MPRO)
