International students arriving at Cleveland Hopkins Airport for the fall semester were greeted with a warm welcome from Kent State University staff and students.
Eron Memaj, international student affairs director, organized the airport pickup service for new international students arriving at Kent State.
Watch a video of Kent State's Airport Pickup Service
“I remember when I first came to Ohio by myself,” Memaj says. “Having someone there to help you get to campus really makes a difference."
Students from around the world, including China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom, used the airport pickup service.
Susi Rakhmawati, a graduate student in translation studies from Indonesia, signed up for the airport pickup service.
“It was a wonderful service,” Rakhmawati explains. “My flight was canceled in Chicago and I had to find another flight at a later time. The pickup service waited! I really appreciated that. It was the easiest and most economic service.”
Kent State staff and students greeted the new arrivals with a warm smile and several goodies, including a bag with fruit, chips, a granola bar, a cookie and a bottle of water. They also received a bag with toiletries, such as towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant. The goodie bags and toiletry bags were sponsored by Undergraduate Student Government.
“The best thing about volunteering was meeting people,” says Roberta Pereira, senior fashion merchandising major. “I know those students felt like someone cared, and they knew who to contact if they needed help. The students seemed very happy that we were there and that filled me with joy.”
Buses took students from Cleveland to Kent State in the morning, afternoon and evening. Staff and students then assisted the new arrivals to their residence hall or off-campus housing.
“It’s important that all students feel welcomed and accepted when they arrive at Kent State,” Memaj explains. “The first impression is everything, and we want students to know we are so glad they are here.”
To learn more about international student airport pickups and additional programs and services offered by Kent State’s International Student Affairs, email Memaj at ememaj@kent.edu.
