International Students Welcome

On Friday Sept. 14, Student Government Association (SGA) hosted the International Student Welcome at the Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery. This event marks the beginning of each semester to welcome new incoming international students.

SGA is an organization in charge of voicing the students' opinions about Texas A&M International University. This year, the event was intimate and exclusive as it was held in the prestigious new gallery located in the Killam Library building. Associate Director of Study Abroad and Exchange Programs Triana Gonzalez, members of the Student Government Association, Association of International Students (AIS), international mentors and international students were present for this event.

The purpose of this event was for the new incoming international students to know the different services the university provides to them. Jonathan Gutierrez, president of SGA, explains: "This event is to create connectivity between SGA members with new incoming international students. It will allow students get to know services better". Every year SGA hosts two informal events, one in fall and another one in the spring. Students from France, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany and the UK were present at the welcome.

On this occasion, international students had the privilege to enter the Helen Richter Watson Art Gallery, a place that not a lot of students have had access to. During the event, international mentors were recognized for their effort and help that was offered to the international students during the first weeks in Laredo and TAMIU. Also, SGA and AIS members did a formal presentation of their association to the international students.

Jonathan Gutierrez also added that Student Government Association has future plans of partner with the Office of Study Abroad to promote this kind of programs to TAMIU students.

The event was a success due to the collaboration of everyone who attended. Different kind of cheeses, salads and tea were served during lunch to all guests.

For more information about this event, you may contact Jonathan Gutierrez at jongtz09@dusty.tamiu.edu.

(Linda Bravo may be reached at lbravo@dusty.tamiu.edu)