![Chidera Duru '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/chidera_duru-blog.jpg?itok=V1VM0P0W×tamp=1633962623)
![lone pine](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/lone_pine_background_7.png?itok=CFeGoWEB×tamp=1631580600)
Chidera Duru
![Chidera Duru '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/chidera_duru-blog.jpg?itok=V1VM0P0W×tamp=1633962623)
![my ISPOP group a group of people sitting on the grass](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_1041x604_ispopgroup.jpg?itok=KQSMGy5Y×tamp=1634531382)
First-Year International Experiences
Moving to another country for college can be a really daunting experience. You have to get used to different financial systems, phone plans, transportation services and so much more. Luckily, Dartmouth creates such a welcoming and helpful community for its international community through so many organizations like the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS), International Students' Association (ISA) and the Office of Pluralism and Leadership (OPAL).
Right from when you get on campus for international students pre-orientation program (ISPOP) at the beginning of fall term, you are welcomed by amazing international student members, sophomores, juniors and seniors who are also international students who help to facilitate ISPOP and introduce Dartmouth to new students through an international perspective. I met some of my closest friends at ISPOP. I remember being really nervous about making friends at Dartmouth, but ISPOP was such an amazing time to meet other first year students and bond over our shared experiences as internationals.
One of the things you have to do when you get to the us is open a bank account and get a US phone number. I was also really nervous about this, but Dartmouth was so helpful with setting these up. On the first day of international students' orientation, Dartmouth invited some US banks and phone carriers to campus to help us set up our new us numbers and bank accounts. It was so helpful having them on campus because it made the process so much easier and faster.
During international students' orientation, the office of visa and immigration services also explained everything about maintaining our visa status in the US and all the rules we had to be aware of as international students through fun and easy-to-understand slideshows and presentations.
There are a lot of new experiences and lessons that come with moving to another country but it's really important and helpful to know that there are tons of people in the Dartmouth community who are incredibly willing and enthusiastic to help you.
Posts You Might Like
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Have you ever thought of working for reunions? Well, neither did I. But it was super fun, come check what it's all about!
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=z4tVogx3×tamp=1632239532)
![My host family's home! An image of a sunroom with a flowers on the table and a red couch in the corner.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_8275.jpeg?itok=8XBIG5Ww×tamp=1715636452)
I moved to Berlin for three months to live with a host family. These are my thoughts about the process and why exploring study abroad programs with host families is worthwhile!
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![Picture of a crowd of students listening to live music on a sunny day.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_1200x900_blockparty.png?itok=gVVgOYVL×tamp=1716251338)
As an international student exempt from the summer term requirement, I wanted to provide insight into how I'm spending my sophomore summer.
![Profile picture of the blogger outside Sanborn Library](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/screen_shot_2022-09-18_at_6.33.44_pm.png?itok=4qv8jBTV×tamp=1688587481)
![a picture of close up pink tree blossom](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_3127.jpg?itok=6jgJ57I3×tamp=1716243151)
Eastern European Easter (loads of E's, I know), a mock wedding with the Dartmouth African Student Association, and of course, Green Key! What a busy week!
![Kalina standing amidst the autumn leaves](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/kalina_duncheva_27_-_kalina_duncheva.jpg?itok=1Spk_Kot×tamp=1694612135)
![Dartmouth Coach](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/1810x1164dartmouthcoach.png?itok=AiCC9RRM×tamp=1715700981)
The Dartmouth Coach transforms travel for (international) students, offering convenient and affordable trips to major cities!
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
![snowy day](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/1708x1248snow.png?itok=Qy6uo7_a×tamp=1715055933)
As an international student myself, I understand the unique challenges we face moving to a new country. In this blog, I'll share some tailored advice to help you prepare for your new adventure.
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
![Mclane Hall looking beautiful during sunset](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/f27f920d-d844-4a3f-8aa4-691438c03a70-min.jpg?itok=UsA_4_a2×tamp=1714682875)
This summer I will be interning in NYC, so here is a blog reflecting on my time here so far and looking forward to the future!
![Luke Grayson '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/luke_grayson_25.jpg?itok=EsArUf28×tamp=1632752229)
![Rarotonga](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog/list-item/screenshot_2024-04-15_at_4.01.45_pm.png?itok=KRi3aA6r×tamp=1713211345)
Over half of Dartmouth students study abroad at least once during their undergraduate journeys—quite a high percentage, right? Do you want to know how to best prepare for your own abroad experience? Come check what it was like for me.
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=z4tVogx3×tamp=1632239532)
![Me in my room](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog/list-item/screenshot_2024-04-13_at_1.50.42_pm.png?itok=WhCcN5ux×tamp=1713030710)
Greek Life can seem scary to some —including freshman year me. Here are some things I learnt when navigating these spaces!
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=z4tVogx3×tamp=1632239532)