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Freshmen at American University in Dubai enjoy Week of Welcome
Freshmen, both international and local, met senior students who spoke about student life, the challenges they might face and how to seek help.
- By Maysam Ali, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:28 September 6, 2008
- Mohammad Al Olama, a freshman at American University in Dubai, says he is excited about his classes.
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
Approximately 800 students have joined the American University in Dubai (AUD) this semester. To welcome them, the administration and senior students held an orientation week recently under the title Week of Welcome. Freshmen, both international and local, met senior students who spoke about student life, the challenges they might face and how to seek help.
"My first day is a bit weird," said freshman Nikhil Bahirwali who was standing among a group of students from the Indian High School. "We still don't know anyone here."
His friend Raj Khiara said: "I'm very excited about meeting different people and getting to know the American system and way of life."
After a long morning of interacting with each other, students attended lectures by Bushra Finneish, assistant dean of student services, and Dr Lance de Masi, president of AUD. Dr de Masi spoke about the diversity of culture, ethnicity and background on campus and invited students to take advantage of it.
The new students were introduced to several departments and were later taken for a spell of bowling by their seniors.
Anshul Purohit, a finance and management student who was a member of the organising committee, said that the student contribution this year added a lot of value to the orientation.
"Every year, the orientation gets better and more organised," he said. "For me, the best year of my life at AUD was the first year so I can imagine what an exciting year it will be for students who are here today."
Lending a helping hand
Members of the Student Government Association were also present to guide new students on the various activities available on campus.
"Our job is to oversee all activities on campus and to ensure communication between students and the administration," said Abhilash Raj, president of the Student Government Association at AUD.
"We ask students what they want to improve in AUD, and we encourage the new ones to participate and tell us about the problems they face," he added.
Aliah Saleh, vice-president of the association, encouraged fellow students to join clubs. "We have around 15 to 20 clubs, and the biggest ones are the cultural," she said.
"I'm not sure yet if I will join any club," said Lin Dao Shi from China. "For now, I can say that AUD has a very nice campus and the people here are very friendly."
Parents' orientation
Students were not the only ones who had the opportunity to get to know AUD up close. A day before the students' orientation, parents were invited to visit the campus.
Those whose children had been enrolled in the dorms also visited the dorms to find out about the facilities and services offered.
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