Making campus a home

Welcome to Bloomington.

While this new venture might be exciting and full of possibilities, IU is here to help with any challenges you might face. Finding a good support system from the beginning can be vital to your success. There are numerous resources on campus that can help.

As an international student, a cultural organization might help you find your niche at IU, whether you are ready to learn about other cultures or you want to find a place to feel at home.

The Leo R. Dowling International Center is a great place to start.

Tish Gonzalez, the office assistant at the center, said that many students find the center’s resources useful to their stay at IU. A few of the center’s programs include conversation clubs so that students may practice new languages or improve their English. Gonzalez said another popular program is the Coffee Cultural Hour.

“I find that an international student, often more homesick, will enjoy more cultural-specific events,” said Lillian Casillas, director of the La Casa Latino Cultural Center.

And that is what she tries to provide for students who come to the center. Known as La Casa (or “the house” in Spanish), to many students it becomes just that — a home. From the annual Festival Latino to the home-cooked dinners, Casillas and her staff work year-round to put on programs in hopes of educating on culture and providing resources to students. For an international Hispanic, the differences of identity and

language can be significant. La Casa tries to break those barriers by providing a support system and answering questions about finding jobs, sponsors and other opportunities available to students.

“As soon as the students come to campus, I like to have an open house,” Casillas said, “so that they know we are here.”

She also collaborates with the International Center every fall to sponsor a trip for students to get to know more about Indiana.

Other events the centers do together, named the “Getting to know Bloomington” series, include trips to different landmarks in the city.

“The more you know about the place you are in, the more likely you will feel comfortable,” she said.

Comfort is what the Center for Human Growth tries to provide with its international student support group. The support group offers a five-session series that focuses on different topics such as homesickness, adjustment issues and stress management. The program is just one of the resources that the center offers as part of its counseling services.

Yvonne Mok, a master’s student doing her practicum at the center, encourages everyone to take advantage of the services.

“The programs are good for getting to know more about American culture,” she said. “We can share our experiences and support one another.”

These, of course, are only a few of the countless resources available to you. A great starting point, these centers might lead you to great organizations, events and programs that may help you in your adjustment to Bloomington.

Before classes start, and before the homesickness hits, find a place at IU that you can lean on. A big campus can be overwhelming, but excitement comes in making it your own.