((PKG))  SU INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION 
((Banner:  And now back to school))

((Reporter/Camera:  Esha Sarai))
((Adapted by:  Philip Alexiou))
((Map:  Houston, Texas))
((Banner:  International students at Rice University learn about American college life during orientation week before the 2018 school year begins.))
((NATS))
((VICTORIA GRAJA, STUDENT FROM ECUADOR)) 
Well, in orientation I have found information that will be really important for me. 
((KONSTANTIN GEORGIEV, STUDENT FROM BULGARIA))
They are helping us go through all the health insurances and immigration stuff, so I mean it is useful to me.
((NATS))
((TAKUDZWA TAPFUMA, STUDENT FROM ZIMBABWE))
I think the office of International Student Services really showed that there’s a lot to learn, even if you hav been living in the United States for a while. Just how to adjust to this new intellectual environment.
((VICTORIA GRAJA, STUDENT FROM ECUADOR))
I decided to come to Rice because, well, I had to take into account different aspects such as weather.  I don’t like cold weather.
((ARINA ZAYTSEVA, STUDENT FROM RUSSIA))
It’s very hot, very humid.  I’m from the North.  I was born in the North, so it’s a drastic change.
((SANTIAGO LOPEZ ALVAREZ, STUDENT FROM COLOMBIA))
Of course family and friends are a big deal and you always miss them, but one thing that I miss the most, and that’s kind of like my recurrent topic every time I meet a new person, is the weather.
((KONSTANTIN GEORGIEV, STUDENT FROM BULGARIA))
I’m thinking that probably at some point the usual nostalgia about food is going to kick in, which is probably the most normal thing ever.
((NATS))
((TAKUDZWA TAPFUMA, STUDENT FROM ZIMBABWE))
Houston, I had heard a lot of great things about Houston. I had not been to this part of the country, specifically Texas.
((ARINA ZAYTSEVA, STUDENT FROM RUSSIA))
I never knew that I am coming to Texas, but yeah, here I am.
((NATS))
((SANTIAGO LOPEZ ALVAREZ, STUDENT FROM COLOMBIA))
I encourage everyone who’s considering coming to the States to pursue graduate education, to give it a try.  The international component of the programs is one of the main strengths of this country.   They do want to have you here. They do want to have international students and American students. They want to get in touch with you. They want to meet you and that is really cool.  And I know it’s expensive but if you’re smart and you work hard, you can get a scholarship and you might end up here like me without paying not even for your flight.  So, just go for it.