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INTAPP holds ceremony to welcome international students |
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Thursday, 25 January 2007 |
by MILLIE TOLLESON
News Reporter
International Appalachian presents a ceremony to welcome new international students to the Appalachian State University community 6 p.m. today in the Summit Trail Solarium of Plemmons Student Union.
 Active Image | Mike Rominger | University Photographer
The International Appalachian organization helps foreign students become acquainted with Boone and the Appalachian campus. There will be a ceremony today at 6 p.m. in the Plemmons Student Union to welcome more international students to Appalachian.
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The hour-long ceremony, which includes hors d’oeuvres, is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
“The new international students will be there and have a chance to meet
people on campus,” INTAPP President Chris C. Houska said.
INTAPP welcomed 12 new international students to Appalachian this
semester. Generally, there are around 200 international students at
Appalachian, Houska said.
Houska said this is also an opportunity for students who are interested in studying abroad to learn more about their options.
He said INTAPP is the only self-guided student organization of its kind.
INTAPP, a university-funded organization, places its mission in
“helping students studying abroad from Appalachian and helping
international students here,” Houska said.
Lily Tran, an exchange student from Macquarie University in Australia,
flew into Charlotte and was immediately welcomed by a member of INTAPP.
“It was really nice to have [a member of INTAPP] there to greet us and act as our tour guide as we came into Boone,” Tran said.
Tran said INTAPP members have also been helpful in running errands, getting her AppCARD and introducing her to the Boone area.
“They are always willing to help,” Tran said. “[Boone is] very different. I am used to having everything in close proximity.”
Tran said the group has also been helpful in assisting her with registering for classes.
“Through talking to members, I found out that I could take PE classes
for credit,” Tran said. “Now I am taking aerobics and skiing so I can
check out the slopes here.”
At the ceremony, the group will also celebrate its Best in Region award
from the National Association for International Educators conference.
INTAPP placed Best in Region out of 69 total groups, Houska said.
The six INTAPP members who traveled to the NAFSA conference were
required to give an hour-long presentation, followed by a question and
answer session, Houska said.
INTAPP also currently sponsors a Spanish-speaking hour held in the
Multicultural Room of Plemmons Student Union each Tuesday from 2 p.m.
to 3 p.m.
Students who wish to fine-tune their Spanish in a casual setting are welcome to attend, Houska said.
Other projects planned by INTAPP include the International Café,
International Ball, Diversity Fair and International Film Festival.
INTAPP is made up of students who are somehow “internationally
inclined,” including those who have lived abroad, studied abroad or are
studying a foreign language, Houska said.
Because of this, Houska said, “we know what it’s like to get off that plane and not know the language completely.”
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