The South Campus Outdoor Challenge Course tests students’ mental and physical aptitude during a fall Connections outing.
The Center for International Services is a dedicated resource on campus to help international students from around the world make the most out of their time studying at Syracuse. While the center offers a diverse array of programming throughout the academic year that is exclusively tailored to the international student experience, two programs—Connections and College 101—are highlighted below, offering new and reimagined ways to get involved as the spring semester gets underway!
The Connections program for undergraduate international students has been modified slightly from its previous format, which focused on creating formal mentorship opportunities between newer and more experienced students on campus. It now serves to offer more informal ways for international students to connect with one another, with the larger Syracuse campus and with the local community through engaging activities offered at no cost to students.
Through these activities, students are afforded the opportunity to build lasting friendships, experience offerings from other campus units (like Orange After Dark, the Barnes Center at The Arch and Athletics), and most importantly, have fun socializing, trying new things and getting a break from their studies!
Students got to see how pumpkins grow and feed goats while visiting Tim’s Pumpkin Patch last fall as part of the Connections program.
While the program is mainly targeted to first- and second-year international students, undergraduates in their junior and senior year at Syracuse are also welcome to attend. Examples of activities in the fall semester included craft and game nights, karaoke, pet therapy, the Outdoor Challenge Course on South Campus, ice skating at Tennity Ice Pavilion and outings to such local venues as Tim’s Pumpkin Patch and Navarino Orchard.
Some of the activities planned for the spring semester include “Around the World” grocery bingo, a Lunar New Year celebration, Bollywood movie night and trips to Syracuse Stage and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
International students took in an American football game in the JMA Wireless Dome, which also gave them the opportunity to learn more about the sport.
The Health Hub, an interactive outreach program designed to promote health and wellness on campus, led a “stressbuster” activity for international students as part of the College 101 program.
Introduced in the fall 2023 semester, College 101 is offered to first- and second-year undergraduate international students to assist with the acclimation to both college life and life in the United States.
Considered an extension of the robust orientation programs that are offered to international undergraduate students at the beginning of each semester, the program provides a series of practical and timely activities throughout the academic year. While informative in nature, all activities are designed to be fun and engaging to maximize students’ learning and enjoyment.
Last semester students experienced both a football and basketball game at the JMA Wireless Dome, while enjoying a mini tailgate and learning the rules of the games from domestic students. Other fun activities included a trivia night with the Department of Public Safety and a walking tour of downtown Syracuse combined with learning how to get there using public transit.
This semester activities will focus on tax filing, off-campus housing, getting a U.S. driver’s license and restaurant etiquette.
To learn more about upcoming Connections and College 101 events, visit the Center for International Services website. Students are also encouraged to follow the Center for International Services on Facebook and Instagram for the latest activities.
