The Foreign Service Journal, June 2017

68 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT courses typically meet once or twice a week and include both thought-provoking read- ings and interactive sessions with campus departments, helping students to imple- ment academic strategies and build friendships among peers. These classes give stu- dents an intimate setting to interact with staff or faculty members and student peer mentors, while learn- ing about the college’s resources and college success strategies. Get Involved! There are many ways for students to get involved, meet fellow students and develop a first semester activity list before college starts. Identify co-curricular activities. Identifying service, social, sporting, religious and cultural organizations on campus that interest the student not only familiarizes them with the plethora of opportunities available on campus, but also helps them find communities of common interest. It is “important for stu- dents to develop interests, get out and get involved in activities that connect you with peers,” advises Rebecca Grappo of RNG International Education Consultants. Students should reach out to some of these organizations during the summer and introduce themselves. Learning about the joining process and early semester events gives students a social or service activity for their calendar, which can be paramount for students who are attending a campus where they know no one. TCKs can both benefit from and contribute to the mission of international centers, and should take advantage of the resources they have for international students.