UPIKE welcomes new international students
0Written By Madi Daniels
Every year, the University of Pikeville welcomes new international students. This is due to the work of International Student and Scholar Services Director, Diann Whittier. There are currently 45 international students, with five of them doing Optional Practical Training. These students have come from many different countries including the United Kingdom, Venezuela, China, Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Trinidad, etc. “I wanted to come to the US to study because it is a very developed country. I can also learn a new language and play tennis,” said Luis Gayoso, a Peru native currently in his freshman year. Enrollment is different for international students. There are more documents needed. Students must prove they have the financial resources to pay for tuition and be eligible for a student visa. Their transcripts need to be evaluated and converted to the US grade equivalent since there are 196 countries in the world. The World Health Organization requires the student to have current immunizations. In total, international students require six more documents to enroll in a college in the U.S. This semester some activities students will participate include going to local plays, Kings Island in Cincinnati and the Kentucky Horse Park. These activities are planned to help students broaden their cultural experience. “I want them to be happy and be themselves. It’s important these activities still tie in with their interests. We do these activities intentionally and with a purpose,” Whittier said. Many deal with their homesickness by calling their family and friends back home. “It helps if they have a touchstone that lets you remember and think of your family. You create the home in your heart by keeping the good memories of your family,” said Whittier. The international program continues to bring international students to campus with numbers growing every year.