A virtual welcome for exchange students
Before the start of third quarter classes in the Loyola Schools, the Office of International Relations (OIR) hosted a virtual orientation for international exchange students (IXS). A total of 19 students have enrolled for the new semester. The virtual program took place from 19 to 21 January 2021 and included discussions on enlistment, registration, introduction of student services, and Ateneo’s vision for its online education-AteneoBlueCloud featuring its Adaptive Design Learning. The orientation also had a virtual campus tour.
Martin Guillemois, an exchange student from Rennes School of Business in France, was one of the attendees. Despite the limitations resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, Guillemois is determined to carry on with the exchange program, albeit online.
“I wanted to continue with the exchange program because I wanted to discover another way of studying. It was important for me to leave my French school and put myself in a school that does not speak my native language. This could only bring me experience and maturity,” he said.
He also expressed his excitement in improving his English proficiency at Ateneo. “I am also looking forward to discovering my new courses; there are some courses that I couldn’t event have in my school in France.”
The online gathering also introduced the students to the Ateneo Student Exchange Council, the official student arm of OIR.
"Despite the numerous changes brought about by the pandemic, we're excited to welcome our exchange students to the Ateneo,” said Hannah Gwyneth Co, ASEC president. “ASEC, in its goal to foster intercultural exchange, has numerous projects and initiatives planned for this semester that will allow our international members to interact with our local members. From our dedicated buddy program to our ASEChronous activities, we hope that each international member will get to experience the warmth of Filipino hospitality, beauty of our unique culture, and diversity of the Ateneo student life."
“Ateneo's Online Learning Exchange Program (OLEP) is one of the few virtual programs that is open to IXS. We are happy and encouraged that our first cohort of OLEP students are very excited about this new study abroad modality. We hope that they will have a meaningful experience at the Ateneo. We are grateful that the Loyola Schools, all its units and departments, provided full support to ensure the implementation of OLEP this third quarter,” said Karen Sunico, director of OIR.
Third quarter classes will start on 10 February 2021.
