On Saturday, August 26th, the Office of International Student Life organized the traditional International Kick-Off Party to celebrate the start of a new academic year. The event’s theme was “Be a Kid Again” which focused on a throwback to the 90’s. The main purpose of this event was to connect the new international class with the returning international students on campus. Danny Kim, Director of International Student Life, explained that this event, and the different activities taking place on it, served as a perfect excuse in order to encourage conversations between old and new international students at Augie.
Sophomore Rachel Hecke, an organizer of the event, shared her thoughts about the success of the Kick-Off Party. She stated, “this event was important for the international community because it gives the new incoming international students a chance to meet the upperclassmen students, and they can create bonds; plus, the upperclassmen can guide other internationals in their transition to college.” Hecke added, “It’s important to create bonds because we are like a family in the international community and it’s nice to know that you have someone to count on when your family is not nearby”.
This year Augustana College received more than 800 first year students, 100 of these students are international students representing 25 different countries and, at the moment, is the biggest class of international students Augie has received.
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