Getting Started With Transitions Orientation
by Shah Md. Rajiur Rahman|
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My name is Shah Md. Rajiur Rahman. I came to Canada in the fall 2008 from Bangladesh and I am currently working on my Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
When I came to Canada to study at the U of A it was my first time abroad and so I was little bit nervous about how I would adjust to this multicultural community. But, when I attended the U of A Transitions International Student Orientation, all my nervousness ran away. I was greeted by lots of welcoming faces and the warm, friendly atmosphere made me comfortable. I soon became comfortable with different peoples, who came from all corners of the world and it was one of the best experiences in my life.
As a new student I found Transitions Orientation to be a lot of fun! We played fun games, attended an orientation BBQ and had the chance to familiarize ourselves with the university campus through the campus tour with Transition volunteers. The volunteers at the orientation were very friendly and gave us brief but informative descriptions of important places on campus. This experience has helped me a lot throughout my stay at U of A. The Orientation was also great because it helped me to learn about different organizations and Students Associations active at U of A and made it easier to understand each group’s activities and interests.
Aside from all of the fun events Transitions Orientation was also a great place to get really important information about life here in Edmonton. We received information on the transportation system, finding permanent housing, setting up a bank account, registering for courses, immigration rules for working in Canada, and how to sign up for health care insurance. This information is essential for new international students and helped me adjust quickly to my new surroundings.
This year I am looking forward to participating in Transitions Orientation as a volunteer. I love having the opportunity to give back, help new students, and be a part of the team. I hope to see you there this year on August 26-28th.
Oh! Last but not least the food was so delicious….so don’t miss it!!!