The International Student Programs, under the umbrella of the Office of Multicultural Programs, provides international students and students who are the children of missionaries and other professionals living abroad with the tools to succeed during their college experience at Messiah College. Programming throughout the year is provided to help in the adaptation to the American educational experience and to celebrate international culture. In collaboration with the Admissions office, we provide assistance with visas and employment. We also offer a Friendship Family Program allowing students to build connections with the local community.

Sections:

Staff

Orientation

Friendship Family Program

Staff

Dorca Kisare-Ressler is the Director of International Student Programs and provides oversight to the program.

http://www.messiah.edu/offices/multicultural/Staff/kisare-ressler.html

Cynthia Blount is the Assistant Director of International Student Recruitment in the Admissions Office at Messiah College, and works closely with the International Student Programs to help incoming students with their transition to college, ongoing visa/ immigration paperwork, and other concerns.

http://www.messiah.edu/admissions/contact/counselor/blount.html

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Orientation for International/ MK/ TCK Students

The International Student Programs Orientation is designed to assist new and transfer international students, Missionary Kids (MKs), and Third Culture Students (TCKs) as they begin their journey and transition to Messiah College. Throughout the orientation students will learn about important information and different services available for their study in the United States. During the week they will have the chance to meet other students, faculty, and staff who can advise, guide and assist them during their time at Messiah College. The incoming international, MK, and TCK students are then joined by the rest of the new first year and transfer students for the standard Welcome Week orientation.

Orientation Schedule (html)

Orientation Schedule (PDF)

Welcome Week Schedule (html)

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Friendship Family Program

The goal of the Friendship Family Program is to provide mutually beneficial friendships between Messiah College’s international, missionary, and “third culture” students, and families or individuals from the Messiah and surrounding Christian community. International Student Programs connects participating families with students, and organizes events to be shared together. Families are encouraged to get to know the students and their home cultures through inviting them to join in family activities and offering hospitality. Although the emphasis is on forming relationships, it does help us build a network of families who can offer hosting or other helpful services as needed.

Below are links to the applications for both families and students who would like to participate in the Friendship Family Program. These help us to better match families and students based on their interests and experiences. All new incoming students are requested to fill out a form unless they already have a person or family in the Grantham, PA area who will be their “family” during their school years.

Friendship Family Application - Families (.doc)

Friendship Family Application - Students (.doc)

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