Anderson Area Sister Cities International and MOSAIC International Ministry helped welcome exchange students by donating bedding and welcome gift bags.
The local Anderson Area Sister Cities Organization donated bed-in-a-bags for the incoming exchange students entering Anderson University this fall semester. Support from the Anderson community is important in that it helps local members of the organization to go global by supporting international efforts such as helping international students at Anderson University.
According to Ann Themistocleous, director for the Center of Global Engagement, Anderson University welcomed 29 new international students—the largest incoming class to date.
Themistocleous stated, “It might seem like a small thing to others, but there are exchange students arriving with only a backpack and a suitcase. In addition, many of them do not have the same support from their families in regard to moving in like our domestic students do. The local community’s assistance is a supportive gesture that is welcomed and appreciated by the students.”
Jordan Anderson, Coordinator in the office, commented, “these welcome packages and bedding are helping our exchange students have a nice bed (already made) to crawl into at night as well as giving them a warm welcome to a new country.”
In addition to the bed-in-a-bags from the Anderson Area Sister Cities, MOSAIC members assisted with helping to make the beds and prepared welcome bags with snacks, towels and other items. MOSAIC is the official international ministry of the international community on campus. They support the international students on campus by helping with keeping a food pantry stocked, donating requested items throughout the year, and attending international events. Local community members, faculty and staff are welcome to join MOSAIC and actively support the international students on the Anderson University campus.
If you would like to help further our internationalization and our efforts to make our students who are far from home feel at home, feel free to contact us at International@AndersonUniversity.edu.
