Leaving France, his family and friends behind for one year and coming to South Louisiana is a trying journey for Hugo Torres, history senior.”It’s hard to get a new life right away,” Torres said. Torres said the International Culture Center and International Student Association orientation activities help in the adapting process.”We’re kind of lost when we arrive here because the campus is so big, and we don’t all speak very good English, but the orientation process helps a lot,” Torres said.The ICC and the ISA promote the welfare of international students, but each organization has different duties, said Ping Xu, political science graduate student and ISA public relations chairman. The ISA is a student organization that broadly represents all international students on campus. It is a resource where international students voice their concerns and offer their suggestions for improving the organization.The ICC is an administrative unit offering international students assistance with practical problems, such as applying for Social Security numbers, transportation and temporary housing, as well as social and cultural activities.The ICC will provide transportation today to the Social Security Office from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., allowing students to apply for Social Security numbers. An international student must have a Social Security number for income tax purposes, registering for a U.S. work permit and buying a cell phone, said Maureen Hewitt, manager of the ICC.  A welcoming party for international students will be held Sept. 5 at the ICC on Dalrymple Drive.Hewitt said the most important thing the ICC offers international students is emotional support.”People are really nervous and have lots of concerns about things that will eventually fall into place,” she said.  A fall break trip to Tickfaw State Park, tailgating on Sept. 27 and Nov. 1 at the ICC and cooking classes are some of the events planned for this semester.—-
Contact Margy Looney at [email protected]