As the beginning of the study year, September is when we dream about a beautiful future.

At this wonderful time, faculty of the Overseas Education College (OEC) came together to welcome new arrivals—more than 250 students from all over the world, who are eager to study Chinese, learn more about China and its culture.

With students in mind, faculty provides seamless service

With newcomers set to arrive on September 10-11, faculty began their preparation work in advance. During the summer vacation, they printed the new edition of Manual for International Students, refined working procedures and did all the required planning to ensure that everything would go on smoothly. As more than a dozen colleges at the Xiang’an Campus were to welcome new students simultaneously, faculty put up information signs at campus entrances in advance to avoid confusion and assist the students to find their way to OEC. Additional direction signs were placed at all relevant locations to ensure the timely completion of the student registration procedures.

Student registration was held in Kunluan Building—the Overseas Education College and International College Building. As they entered, the soon-to-be students were provided with all relevant information and support, such as the campus map, registration procedure instructions and answers to their enquiries. As the registration process is complicated and involves multiple steps, faculty members were there to guide newcomers all the way through filling forms, photocopying, taking pictures, paying tuition fees, health check instructions, opening bank accounts, accommodation arrangement and so forth. The faculty strived to provide the students with orderly one-stop service and avoid overcrowding or any other inconveniences.

After registration, transportation was also arranged to drive every student to his/her dormitory, once more reflecting the College’s commitment to providing students with the highest quality assistance whenever they might be in need.

Volunteers’ hard work makes the world a better place

Every year, when newcomers arrive at OEC, they are met by the College’s international volunteers. Regardless of where they come from and how they look like, they all speak fluent Chinese and know about every registration procedure and they are there to assist the faculty, to break the language barrier and to provide new students with timely assistance. They are of great help to the smooth completion of student registration procedures.

When asked why she decided to work as a volunteer, Indonesian Shuyi Lin, a recipient of the Tan Kah Kee Scholarship, replied: “It is due to the Tan Kah Kee scholarship that I could be here. I am extremely grateful and I want to give something back to the College.” In her two days of volunteering, she tirelessly assisted the faculty with paperwork and other duties.

Apart from current students at the college, two recent alumni also participated in volunteer activities.

One is Nigerian Junhao Lin, an active volunteer and participant of various events in his time on campus. He is affectionate to Xiamen University. According to him, as long as he is still in Xiamen, he will be here to welcome new students every year.

The other one is Huihong Ni, a local graduate of a Sino-Japanese cooperation program. Since 2015, he has been here to welcome new students every spring and autumn. He has vivid memories of his time at OEC and hopes that, with new students arriving, he can not only practice his speaking skills, but also make friends with students from all over the world.

Those international volunteers, speaking fluent Chinese and with smiles on their faces, did their best to give their international counterparts the warmest welcome. By doing so, they have once more demonstrated their love for Xiamen University and OEC, and their concern for others — personal qualities valued very highly here.

Put students first: new student orientation offered

For international students arriving on campus in a new country for the first time, it’s not quite the same as for their Chinese counterparts. They have to face a different language, culture, laws and study environment they do not know much about. To address this, a new student orientation meeting was held in the College’s lecture hall on the afternoon of September 12.

The College invited immigration officers and faculty responsible for international students to introduce China’s visa policy, the process of student visa, residence permit application and relevant laws to those newcomers. In addition, they introduced general information about Xiamen University, the Student Affairs Office (SAO) and its functions. Students were educated on relevant rules and regulations of the College and the University, and instructed about staying safe on campus and keeping their personal belongings secure. These instructions will certainly help them settle into their new life here at the Overseas Education College.

Every year, more and more international students, each unique and different in their own way, arrive at OEC. Tomorrow, as the College’s alumni, they will carry good memories of their time here throughout their whole life. Meanwhile, the faculty of the College will keep working hard to encourage friendly intercultural exchange, provide students with unique Chinese cultural events, and encourage students to learn Chinese and tell China’s stories to the world.