Welcome Falcons! Bentley University
7/1/2016
International Student Edition
Studying in the States What are some things to be prepared for during your time in the United States We are so excited to have
Spiritual Life, the
things you may find
you join us at Bentley this
Counseling Center,
strange in American
fall! We know that you
Residence Life and other
culture aren’t necessarily
are joining us from
faculty & staff. Some of
right or wrong, but
cultures from all over the
the best ways to combat
different from what you
world, and we look
homesickness and culture
may be used to. As you
forward to learning as
shock are to get involved,
live and learn on campus,
much from you as you do
stay active and form
it is our hope and goal
from us. With that said,
healthy lifestyle habits. Be
that you will get
we want to assure you
sure to get to know your
comfortable with the new
that culture shock IS
roommates and students
culture surrounding you,
SURMOUNTABLE,
in your classes, as they
while retaining parts of
especially with the
may introduce you to new
your individual cultural
resources Bentley has to
experiences that you truly
identity.
offer, including: the CISS,
enjoy. While studying at
Health & Wellness,
Bentley, remember that Transportation at Bentley
There are various ways to get around campus and the Boston area. Bentley has a campus shuttle, which is a bus that departs every hour or so from campus to Harvard Square in Cambridge. From Harvard Square, it is easy to hop on the MBTA subway train (known as the T) and get into Boston. Students also use Uber and Lyft, which are akin to taxis summoned and paid for through a smartphone app. Zipcar and other car rental services are available, but do keep in mind that international licenses are only valid for 6 months. Finally, there are good old taxis that you can call in Waltham or flag down in Boston. For more information on transportation, click on the following links: Bentley Shuttle, MBTA, Uber, Lyft, Zipcar, Taxi
Welcome from the Center for International Students and Scholars
General Reminders Our campus is now Smoke-Free
The CISS is committed to helping you transition into
Visit our website here to ensure that your
and succeed during your time at Bentley. Their website
health forms are completed, and you are able
has pertinent, current and trending information
to move in without a hitch!
pertaining to your visa status, so be sure to consult it regularly. Here are several friendly faces that you will
You are permitted to move onto campus
get to know if you stop by the office, located on the
starting at 8am on August 24th – Orientation
third floor of the Student Center.
begins that day at 2pm with Convocation
Christine Lookner joined
Bring photocopies of important documents!
the Center for International Student & Scholars in June
Don’t forget voltage converters/adapters for
2016 as the new director.
your electronics
Christine worked at Bentley for 11 years in the International Education office before serving as the Director of International Services at Lasell College. Christine returns to Bentley with broad experience in international education and an appreciation of the unique culture here at Bentley. She holds an M.A. in Educational Studies (International Education concentration) from Tufts University, a B.A. degree from Haverford College, and has traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, the South Pacific, and Northern Africa on a variety of faculty-led programs and site visits to other institutions. Patrick Nobrega joined the center in May 2016. Pat is a native of the South Coast of Massachusetts and recently returned from his master’s program in Higher Education Administration at the University of South Carolina. Pat did his bachelor’s degree at Suffolk University in English Literature and Spanish Language. It was there that he had the opportunity to study abroad and developed a passion for international education. Pat brings him with experience from a variety of areas including service-learning and community engagement for international students. In in his free time Pat enjoys being outdoors with his 2 yearold shepherd mix, Major, going to the beach, and exploring the city with friends. Anna Garson joined the CISS in May 2015 after completing a Master’s program in International Higher Education & Intercultural Relations at Lesley University in 2016 and her Bachelor’s degree in Romance Languages at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011. Anna brings experience working with international and domestic students going abroad at both Lesley University and Berklee College of Music. In her free time, Anna enjoys traveling (she even lived and taught English in Spain for three years!), cooking, learning new languages, and supporting her alma mater’s basketball team.
Have any questions for the CISS? Contact the center by calling 781-891-2829 or emailing GA_CISS@bentley.edu. They are excited to meet and get to work with you, just like the Orientation Team is. Keep watching for @WelcomeFalcons posts on social media, and we will see you soon!