While the weather was icy the reception was anything but as Queen’s University welcomed incoming international exchange students on Sunday, the day before classes start for the winter term.

Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC), along with representatives of the academic faculties, offered a special orientation day for the newly-arrived exchange students to help them settle in at the university as well as Canada.

There were presentations on life at the university and where to find the resources that an international student may need as well as some basics on living in the community and health insurance.

And, of course, there is the weather. Many students arrive from much warmer climes and January in Canada can be a shock, despite preparations.

To give them a warm start, the Campus Bookstore once again donated tri-colour mittens and scarves for participating students. 

Woraphong Kingkawkantong, arrived from Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 24 and is enrolled in the Commerce program. He said he’s excited about the chance to face a Canadian winter.

“I like snow a lot. I think it’s awesome,” he says. “I live in a country where the weather is opposite during the winter time. So it is 30 C there and -30 C here. It’s very different. It’s my first time seeing snow.”

The diversity of cultures Canada and Queen’s offer is also an exciting prospect for Mr. Kingkawkantong.

“I saw this country many times in films and I hoped that I would have a chance to visit and now I have that chance,” he says. “I’m really excited to learn a lot of new things here.”

For Marketa Netukova, the weather isn’t a concern. She has traveled from Prague, Czech Republic and says the temperature at this time of year is similar.

One of the main reasons she decided to take on an exchange was to get out of her routine and get to see more of the world while she has the chance.

 “I especially like meeting new people and really love listening how the other nations live,” says the Commerce student.

She was also looking forward to attending her classes where the groups will be smaller and she will have a better chance to meet people.

QUIC offered extended hours on Saturday and Sunday to provide support to newly-arriving students and their families and is offering a series of activities throughout the first week of classes to assist with the process of settling in. 

Justin Kerr, an International Student Advisor with QUIC who led Sunday’s presentation, said that more than 275 new international students are beginning their studies at Queen’s in January, including undergraduate and Masters of International Business exchange students, MBA and other graduate students, as well as students of the Queen’s School of English. 

“The orientation for exchange students is an opportunity to connect them with the many people at Queen’s who are here to make their time enjoyable and successful,” he says. “That means the many staff from various Student Affairs and academic offices as well as other students who will be an important part of their network and experience at Queen’s.

“The day left students with newly-developing friendships and a better understanding of the depth of support available to them at Queen’s. What better way to start their time here?”