Nebraska Life Skills hosts International Student-Athlete Orientation

Lincoln, Neb. –  During the 1st week of school, students are learning their class schedule, their practice schedule, and balancing social events. Imagine all of this, while stepping foot in a country thousands of miles away from home for the first time. This is the reality for a number of students, and Husker athletes are no different. On Wednesday, August 28th, Husker athletes from international countries, such as Brunei, Jamaica, Israel and Germany, attended the orientation to learn about tips and resources for the transition to Nebraska. Opening with a short activity, athletes joined tables with their respective flags available, and discussed their impressions with Nebraska and the United States. The Husker Life Skills and Academics staff then explained academic requirements, life skills resources and upcoming plans for expanding international student-athlete programming.
 
As the night continued, the International Student and Scholars Office (ISSO) shared resources and experiences surrounding culture shock and homesickness, equipping the athletes with the knowledge and tools to recognize and combat these challenges. As the night wrapped, ISSO shared international events on campus, and collaborations with athletics. Student-athletes then discussed strategies and suggestions for a better student-athlete experience.
 
Nebraska athletics proudly boasts athletes from 43 states and 28 countries. For Nakell Baker, an International Student Success Navigator with ISSO, the orientation allowed the athletic population to connect with the greater campus and bridge the gap between international athletes and international students on campus. "I thought it was a huge success," said Baker. "We were very impressed with how engaged the athletes were. They seemed excited to connect more with the international community on campus, the entire athletics department was so supportive and made the evening fun and easy for ISSO to attend."
 
Athletics will host additional collaborations with ISSO, specifically during International Education Week (November 18-22, 2019) to create opportunities for international athletes to connect with one another, connect with the campus and share their experiences. One thing is certain, our Huskers come from all over the world, and we cherish them for their experiences, their backgrounds, and their identities. This is what truly makes them Huskers.