USJ OSAA hosted a series of welcoming activities to integrate students into campus life
USJ OSAA hosted a series of welcoming activities to integrate students into campus life
17
Sep
17/09/2024
To assist new students in integrating into campus life, the Office for Student and Alumni Affairs of USS organised fourteen welcoming activities at the beginning of the academic year 2024/2025 aimed to promote student interaction, foster friendships, and provide necessary information and support.
In an effort to help new students adapt to the campus environment, the Office for Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) prepared a diverse range of fourteen welcoming activities for the 2024/2025 academic year. These activities include a local tour, special info sessions for non-local students, and sports games during the Induction Week to enhance students’ sense of belonging and team spirit.
Understanding Macau Culture through Local Tours
On the 28th of August and the 7th of September, new students of various nationalities were led by staff from OSAA and the International Affairs Office (IAO) to explore the campus surroundings, local facilities, and the historical heritage of Macau. Students visited the other USJ campuses , allowing them to familiarize themselves with the distribution of different buildings within USJ. As the new students come from diverse nationalities and backgrounds, these local tours not only promote communication among them but also help students better understand the community and gain further insight into the environment of Macau.
Oscar Jiang, a new student from the Master of Business Administration Programme at the Faculty of Business and Law (FBL), expressed that through the orientation tour, he gained a comprehensive understanding of the cultural heritage of USJ and a brief overview of Macao’s history. Simultaneously, the event provided him with a deeper insight into Macao’s economy. As a student of USJ, he looked forward to expanding his knowledge during his two-year campus life and anticipated acquiring more expertise throughout his graduate studies.
Kevin Xiao, another new student from the Master of Architecture Programme at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH), appreciated the opportunity to visit Macao’s landmarks, such as the Macao Museum and the Ruins of Saint Paul, alongside his senior peers from USJ. This experience not only offered insights into Macao’s cultural history but also allowed him to connect with new fellow students, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the university community.
Info Sessions for Non-Local Students: Caring for Students from All Over the World
On the 30th of August, USJ organized information sessions to welcome non-local students. The event was conducted bilingually in separate morning and afternoon sessions. In the morning session, our staff introduced international students to the history, culture, and lifestyle of Macau in English, and representatives from the Macao Judiciary Police visited the campus to educate new students on preventing telecommunications fraud. In the afternoon session, information was presented in Putonghua to help mainland students understand the campus communication channels, transportation information, university facilities, office locations of various colleges and departments, student activities, and resources for campus living guides. A session was dedicated to interaction with senior students, who guided and motivated new students to have confidence and enthusiasm in adapting to their new environment and starting their campus life.
To enhance students’ understanding of Macao’s history and culture, Mr. Zeng Kun, former Chief Editor of the Macao Branch of the People’s Daily, was invited to conduct a special lecture titled “Understanding Macao Society and Culture.” In this lecture, Mr. Zeng elaborated on the historical evolution of Macao and the significance of patriotism and the love for Macao. This initiative was aimed to provide the new mainland students with knowledge about the past and present of Macao, offering a holistic perspective on the sociocultural fabric of Macao.
Induction Week to Promote Campus Cultural Integration
The Induction Week events took place on the 4th and 11th of September with the aim of helping students adjust to the transition between high school and university life, as well as informing them about the various activities and support available on campus. During the first Induction event, students visited booths organized by the USJ Student’s Association (USJSA), where they learned about the activities, purposes, and services of the clubs and societies through promotional displays. Not only did this allow new students to understand the clubs and societies better, but it also attracted new members to participate and fostered social interaction on campus. In addition to the booths, Ms. Helen Lao, the counselor at USJ, shared information with new students on how to transition smoothly into university life and the psychological support services and resources available on campus.
The events in the second week focused on promoting students’ overall physical and mental health. OSAA organized sports experiential activities for students. USJ invited the Macau Floor Curling General Association to join students in floor curling, and there was also a sharing session to further understand the students’ situation on campus.
Romelyn Malazarte Rojas, a freshman from the Bachelor of Business Administration Programme at the Faculty of Business and Law who is from the Philippines, believed that through participating in the orientation week, she learned effective time management skills that would better equip her to face the challenges of university life. By engaging in various campus activities, she felt the enthusiasm of the faculty and staff, and she was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new academic year.
The Induction Week concluded on the 14th of September with a barbecue event. In a relaxing atmosphere, students were provided with a welcoming social platform to interact and communicate with their peers, strengthening campus culture and unity.
Organizing a “OH! Day Coffee” for the New Academic Year
Meanwhile, USJ held the “OH! Day Coffee” event on the 4th and 5th of September, with two sessions on the Ilha Verde Campus. This arrangement allowed students enrolled in both daytime and evening programmes to unwind and face new challenges with a refreshing mindset, injecting additional positive energy into the new academic year.
A final-year student from the Bachelor of Business Administration at the Faculty of Business and Law, Micah Shayne Bulawan, found the coffee event to be highly engaging. Students could enjoy tasting local Macao delicacies for free while using this platform to get to know students from different nationalities on campus. She expressed that connecting and interacting with other students facilitated diverse cross-cultural communication, aiding her in gaining a deeper understanding of various customs from around the world.
