First international bridge students arrive

The University of Cincinnati pilots a bridge program for new international freshmen

The first cohort of students in UC International’s pilot Summer Bridge Program has arrived on campus at the University of Cincinnati.

These eight first-year students from China, India and Uzbekistan are getting an early introduction to the campus, to their new city and to the US academic system. Just as important, they’re meeting a first group of friends and learning about the comprehensive support system that UC provides to help them make the transition across cultures from their homes and high schools to life at an American university.

Confirmed international freshmen were offered the chance to enroll in the pilot program last May.

Sunday morning, they were picked up at their doorsteps in student housing by Lindsey Barta, the UC International graduate assistant who worked with Program Manager Lorri Blanton to develop the bridge option. It was the start of a week of extra tours, talks, practical assistance and social events designed to supplement new international student orientation and the campus-wide events of Welcome Week.

Here are some glimpses of their campus tour. Watch our international news page for more on the program and the group’s activities later in the week.

A group of students gesture "1" on an athletic field

The bridge students cheer their new school.

Students pose with their ID cards in front of  a building

UC students pose with their new Bearcat ID cards.

Nishil, Kameron, graduate assistant Lindsey Bartam, Alan, IPALs student leader Sagar Tiwari, Dhruv, Alex and Kris pose along the rail of the Belle of Cincinnati riverboat with the Cincinnati cityscape in the background

UC students enjoy a cruise aboard the historic Belle of Cincinnati riverboat.

The featured image shows the group in the Richard E. Lindner Center. All photos courtesy of Lindsey Barta.

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