A Grand Welcome to the Fall 2023 Study AZ and Global Direct Students
The University of Arizona main campus was buzzing with excitement as two unique groups of international students gathered to enjoy the Wildcat Welcome Party on August 23rd. The first group consisted of UA Lima students from our microcampus partner, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Peru. They will be completing a semester on the main campus through Study Arizona, a program that offers all microcampus students the opportunity to study in the United States for up to a semester at a reduced tuition rate. The second group was Global Direct students, individuals who started their degrees online and have now transferred to the main campus.
Each semester, this welcome event provides an opportunity for students from different corners of the world to come together and celebrate the start of a new academic journey together.
The festive evening started with a heartfelt welcome to campus from Study Arizona Coordinator Valentino Lugo. Lugo outlined the evening’s schedule and introduced Assistant Vice President for Mexico Initiatives Justin Dutram. Dutram shared personal anecdotes, provided words of encouragement, and offered valuable insights to the international students.
Attendees then enjoyed a spread of nachos, falafels, chimichangas, and chocolate strawberry mascarpone while playing an interactive icebreaker game designed to create connections and forge friendships that would hopefully extend beyond the party. After the meal, they gathered around Cornhole and Jenga game stations, engaging in some friendly competition while striking up conversations. Additionally, many of the students also had the opportunity to meet and get to know their advisors, offering them a valuable resource for the semester ahead.
At the end of the evening, organizers extended their gratitude to all attendees for contributing to the event’s success. As always, the Wildcat Welcome Party marked the beginning of a shared journey, ensuring that the connections fostered during this event would continue to thrive throughout the semester.
