DiRECT (Division for International Research and Educational Cooperation) held an orientation for international students who enrolled in the Graduate School of Science in October, at the Multi-purpose Room, Science Complex C, on Monday, October 1. 23 students from 14 countries attended the orientation, most of which were the IGPAS (International Graduate Program for Advanced Science) new students. There also were two students with JICA DRR program (JICA Long-term Training Program for Disaster Risk Reduction to implement the Sendai Framework), three research students, and a master student.
Unlike the previous years, this year, the orientation was held separately from the admission procedure, which was conducted on Friday, September 28. This arrangement was for the later arrival of most of the new students, who were allowed to move-in to the newly opened dormitory, UH Aobayama, on or after September 27.
The orientation started with a welcome speech by the dean, Professor Masahiro TERADA. Since there is no entrance ceremony for students enrolling in October, this speech is intended to make the students feel that this is day one of their fresh start as a member of the Graduate School of Science. Students, who have been really busy with procedures after procedures since arrival, listened intently to the speech and were reviewing what had motivated them, and what they want to achieve while staying here. After that, information on academic matters, daily life, disaster prevention etc., was explained while showing slides and videos.
Before a short beak, participants introduced themselves, covering their nicknames & hobbies. Some nicknames/ hobbies, quite different from their first impression, surprised others and brought smiles to their faces.
We do hope that this orientation will be of help to their life in Sendai. (The slides for the orientation and the relevant links are available at the website of DiRECT)

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