International Student Resource: Home

My name is Rachawan "Aey" Wongtrirat. I am a graduate student from Thailand. I am enrolled in the PhD in Higher Education. My research interest is international student enrollment. I love to travel. I have already visited 40 states in the U.S. and have set a goal to visit all 50 states before going back home to Thailand. My favorite on-campus event is International Flavor. I am also a member of the Higher Education Student Association, and hope to become involved with the Diversity Institute.
My name is Emma Chepkwony. I am from Kenya and currently doing my master's in Public Administration. I like to do a lot of things, but mainly enjoy taking pictures around campus and all over Hampton Roads. I'm active with the F.O.R.E.I.G.N.E.R.S. and International Initiatives and Events with OIR. My favorite event has been Cultural Explosion, and I thoroughly enjoyed Africa @ ODU. If you see me around campus, stop me and say hi!
My name is Eric Salvador De Leon. I'm from the Philippines, and currently taking my master's in Aerospace Engineering. I am a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and currently serving as a combat pilot for the Philippine Air Force-flying for more than 12 years before coming to ODU. I like playing ball games (basketball, volleyball), table tennis, reading books, surfing the Internet, or simply hanging out with friends during my free time. I've been actively involved with the ODU Filipino American Center serving as the Coordinator, Board of Advisors. I am also a member of the International Student Christian Fellowship here at ODU.
I'm Anand Lobo, Indian, and I transferred here from Dubai, U.A.E. in spring 2008. I came to ODU to study physics; I'm currently double-majoring in physics and electrical engineering, and minoring in music performance. I play pool and table-tennis regularly on campus, as well as attend many of the ODU-sponsored events. I am a member of the Catholic Campus Ministry, the F.O.R.E.I.G.N.E.R.S., the ODU Table Tennis Club, the Society of Physics Students, and a number of other campus organizations.
I'm Julian Zavala. I am from Colombia, here studying finance. I am a co-founder of the F.O.R.E.I.G.N.E.R.S., and love to go to Monday Night Taco Nights at Tortilla West!
I am Vanessa Fernandes. Being of Portuguese and East-Indian descent, I am a graduate student who has been exposed to a canvas of beautiful cultures. I hatched in Kuwait, and migrated to "the land of the long white cloud" - New Zealand, where I attained my bachelor's of science in dental hygiene. I have traveled to ODU after completing two semesters of the master's in dental hygiene, at the University of Minnesota. I have enjoyed my first semester at ODU as I have found that the university offers an array of opportunities for a wide variety of student interests. I love working out, when time permits, and also involving myself in leadership activities. I am involved with the Women's Center, and hope to become involved with the Diversity Institute.
My name is Faisal Mahmud. I am from Bangladesh. I am a graduate student and my major is transportation engineering. On the academic level, my interest is in traffic simulation and modeling as well as traffic safety. Otherwise, I like traveling, painting, playing soccer, swimming and watching movies. Activities I like to do on campus include volunteering in ODU events (SAC and PAW events), attending all the ODU events; in general I love to make friends, visit new places and of course attending seminars and conferences. I am an active member and secretary of Bangladeshi Students Association (BdSA) at ODU, member of ASCE, ODU branch and a member of F.O.R.E.I.G.N.E.R.S.
I am Ziniya Zahedi from Bangladesh. I am an undergraduate student and my major is Marketing. On an academic level, my interest is in doing presentations. Otherwise, I like traveling, dancing, sleeping, hanging out with friends and watching movies. Activities I like to do in campus include: volunteering in ODU events, attending all the ODU events; in general I like to make new friends, visit interesting places. I am an active member and treasurer of Bangladeshi Students Association (BdSA) at ODU and member of Honors College (ODU).
I am Khatera from Afghanistan. My major is political science and I minor in international studies. I enjoy ODU After Dark, Cultural Explosion, SAC movie programs, and PAW weekend events, the Alternative fall/spring break organized by OSAL. I like to play tennis, meet new people, read novels, listen to music, and cook traditional food. I am part of Pi Sigma Alpha: The National Political Science Honor Society, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Sigma, Multicultural Student Alliance, Global Student Friendship, ODU Model United Nations. I want to take the Cultural Diversity Institute next fall.
My name is Michalis Eleftheriou. I am from Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. My major is electrical engineering, and I am currently working on my engineering management master's degree. My interests are sailing and soccer. I am part of the Hellenic Society of Old Dominion University.
My name is Mame Sire Sane. I am from Senegal where I was born and raised (for the most part). I came to the U.S. at the age of 18 to attend ODU as an undergraduate freshman. I am now a senior majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in finance. On campus, I am an active member of the African Caribbean Association (ACA). I am also the treasurer of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Taking part in so many organisations has allowed me to meet new people, open myself to different cultures, and develop my leadership skills.

Imagine entering an environment where you are not judged by what you wear, how you communicate, what you consume, or where you were born. The Office of Intercultural Relations (OIR) is committed to creating a campus community that values and supports the cultural identities of each of our members. As citizens of a global society, it is our goal that each Monarch experiences the reality that, when we embrace our differences, it makes us one.

The Pathfinder serves as an informational tool that we trust you will find helpful. You will discover some of our unique cultural events that have attracted hundreds of students and faculty. Discover the university offices that provide specific services to our international students and find a guide to unique Hampton Roads' Best-Kept Secrets. Welcome to Old Dominion University!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Old Dominion University. On behalf of all the faculty and administration in Academic Affairs, I am delighted that you chose our university for your pursuit of higher education and for your cultural growth. You will find here a friendly and hospitable community that values diversity and multiculturalism, traits for which Old Dominion has become well-known.

I invite you to avail yourselves of the many resources in Academic Affairs that we offer to ensure your academic success. For our undergraduates, the University College is our administrative unit charged with providing quality advising, tutoring, first-year programs, career counseling, internships, and academic skills development. For our graduate students, there is a welcome not only in the Office of International Programs, but also in the newly formed Graduate Students Association that provides a social and intellectual outlet for all.

You will soon discover that our faculty are among the best anywhere in the world. Excellent researchers and dedicated teachers, they value the particular perspectives that you will bring to the classroom. Your voices and opinions will be encouraged. Please get to know your professors and fellow students, in and out of the classroom. Share with them the wisdom of your global experiences, while making the most of your academic career.

You have chosen to pursue your education in another land, which speaks to your determination, your courage, and your adaptability. Your journeys here remind us all of how small the world is, and how vitally important it is for us to work together as global citizens on solutions to problems that affect everyone.

Old Dominion University joins you in partnership as you prepare to become the leaders whose vision and commitment will reshape the world. I wish you the very best during your time here.

I am pleased to be among the first to welcome you to Old Dominion University. A world of opportunities and experiences await you. My hope is you will seize every opportunity to immerse yourself in the life of the campus. Of course, your first and highest priority has to be your academic endeavors. As you prepare to embark upon your academic journey at ODU, it is important that you make the commitment now to take charge of your learning. Come to class prepared to learn, to be challenged, to think expansively and to share your knowledge, culture and insights with your classmates. Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is your education and you need to take charge of it!

Equally as important as active engagement in your course work is that you take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in clubs, organizations, student governance and the myriad of social, cultural and sports activities offered on campus. Involvement in these types of activities opens the doors to opportunities to meet people different from you and try new things, whether it's going on one of the many camping, skiing or hiking trips; visiting an art gallery; shopping in Williamsburg, or participating in Community Care Day, a community service project. All of these present wonderful opportunities to learn about the many activities associated with college life.

Traditions will be another part of your University experience as well. For example, every Friday is Spirit Friday, a day we encourage everyone to wear something with the name of the University or with the letters ODU on it to show your Monarch pride. We call ourselves Monarchs because the lion statue and fountain in front of the Webb University Center represent our pride in our University and the strength of our commitment to being the best at what we do.

Remember, you only have one chance to be "new" – so take full advantage of the myriad of opportunities, excellent education and wonderful experiences that await you at ODU. Welcome to your Monarch family. I look forward to meeting you. Best wishes for a very successful academic year.