University of Michigan International Center

 Who the Heck is Dancing at Pwall? — An Overview of the U-M Dance Community Written by Will Peng Summer Orientation Peer Advisor  Undergraduate Student (Senior) Taipei, Taiwan It might just be a few years ago, but 2021 was a different time at the University of Michigan. The school was in limbo. No one knew exactly how long the pandemic would go on for. Quarantine, masks, saliva tests – as an international student excited for college, I felt like I was robbed of a true freshman experience. It was hard to make friends in online classes. Sure, I knew a few peers from my hometown, but living in North Campus meant that I was alone for the most part (my roommate moved out midway through the fall). I was looking desperately for a place to belong.  The turning point came during Festifall, when a senior grabbed me aside and encouraged me to go to pwall if I was interested in street dance. Pwall? What even is that? Well, I had been trying to get into dance on my own because being a...

  Belonging Takes Time - But It’s Worth the Journey Written by My Tran Summer Orientation Peer Advisor  Graduate Student Hanoi, Vietnam Photo: Me in my U-M hoodie, enjoying the beautiful fall season in Michigan As an international student in the United States, I often asked myself: What does it really mean to belong?Is it the feeling of being "at home"? Or is it the sense that you genuinely want to stay somewhere, to grow roots and not want to leave? As a master’s student in Higher Education, I’ve read countless articles and discussed “sense of belonging” in almost every class. Scholars define it in many ways. But for international students like me, maybe it’s something simpler: it’s when you feel truly heard, when your struggles are acknowledged, when you wake up excited for a new day at school. And when you find yourself brave enough to give back, because you’ve been supported. Let me share how I found that sense of belonging here, in a place that’s nearly a 24-hour flight ...

  Why Living on North Campus Isn’t as Bad as You Think Written by Hanson Liu Summer Orientation Peer Advisor  Undergraduate Student Shanghai, China When I first found out I’d be living in Baits II on the North Campus as a first-year LAS student, I will admit, I did panic. All of my classes will be in the Central Campus, the other side of town. I googled the distance to Central Campus, saw all the memes, and braced myself for what I assumed would be months of social isolation and constant bus rides. But after two years of calling North my home, I’m here to tell you: it’s not that bad. In fact, it has several significant benefits. 1. The Buses Work Well Let’s start with the obvious concern: transportation. Yes, North Campus is a few miles from the Diag, but the Blue Bus system is surprisingly efficient. With regular routes like the Bursley-Baits and Northwood showing up every 10 minutes during rush hours, you rarely have to wait long, and the buses even have live tracking. Plus,...

Best One-Day Trips from Ann Arbor: Quick Escapes into Nature, History, and Charm Written by Archi Agrawal  Summer Orientation Peer Advisor  Graduate Student India Living in Ann Arbor is amazing. I love the calm rhythm of the town, the cozy campus charm, and how everything feels just a little slower and more thoughtful. But even in such a peaceful place, sometimes I feel the need to step outside my routine. Whether it’s to chase a thrill, reconnect with nature, or wander through history, these one-day escapes have been my personal favorites. If you’re looking for that perfect reset outside of Ann Arbor, here are some day trips I’ve taken (and totally recommend!). Cedar Point – For That Adrenaline Rush Okay, let’s start with the obvious thrill-seeker’s paradise. Cedar Point is about 2.5 hours away in Sandusky, Ohio, and 100% worth the drive if you love roller coasters. I went with a group of friends during the summer. We left Ann Arbor early in the morning and made it back late...

  Beyond Maps and Myths: Making UMich My Own Written by Kehinde Sowunmi Summer Orientation Peer Advisor Graduate Student, Nigeria Photo: Me full of smiles on my first day of class (NorthQuad Building) You know that toe-tingling feeling of excitement mixed with the rush of your heart slamming against your chest, the one that makes you feel like you’re about to go weak in the knees? That’s exactly how I felt when I first arrived at the University of Michigan. Mind you, I had already watched tons of YouTube videos, scrolled through Instagram reels, and consumed every bit of online content I could find about U of M. Yet the mixture of thrill and nervousness still felt overwhelming, and it lingered well into my first month. Part of me thought I was prepared. I wanted to come across as confident, not just “the international student,” or as we Nigerians jokingly call, a JJC or “Johnny Just Come,” a slang for a newcomer. I told myself that settling in would be as simple as memorizing my...