Your first week at INTO University of South Florida

This past fall, INTO University of South Florida’s General English students shared what they enjoy doing most on campus and in Tampa, and today they’re telling us all about arriving in Tampa and at INTO University of South Florida.

Read more from our GE students as they tell us more about arriving at the airport and their first week at INTO USF…

Arriving in the US

Arriving in the US can definitely be a bit intimidating, but we’ve heard that having staff there to greet our students (like the USF student leaders that Erbu describes below) is extremely helpful.

I saw Tampa for the first time from the plane. It was at night. I saw the lights and I was impressed, and I felt full of joy. After that, when I got off the plane, USF student leaders were there, waiting to pick me up. I was excited and a little bit tense, but they were so friendly and nice. We met and talked, and even took a selfie together, and I didn’t feel tense anymore”

Erbu
Turkey

The first week at INTO USF

Once you arrive on campus, you’ll begin your orientation/first week (#intofirstweek on social media) activities, get to know campus a little better, and begin making friends.

My first week at INTO USF was amazing. The campus is awesome, but I got lost a lot. People here are so friendly though, that they don’t mind walking you to where you have to go.”

Danna
Ecuador

It wasn’t easy for me, because I’ve never been to the US before. Cultures, languages, and most importantly, the city, were different. My first day at school, it was orientation day, and I felt shy and nervous, so I couldn’t make any friends. After that, I went to my class and met my classmates and I made friends. I wasn’t alone anymore. It wasn’t just my classmates, but even USF students, that were all so friendly, nice and helpful. I made a lot of friends, and now I can easily say that USF is my new home.”

Erbu
Turkey

On my third day, I began making friends at USF from different countries. It was a good experience for me to have friends from other cultures and languages. It helped me a lot; I could speak English without feeling ashamed because it was the only way to speak to each other.”

Heba
Saudi Arabia

At the beginning, my English wasn’t very fluent, so everything here was unknown and it was hard to try to talk with each other and make friends. But (don’t ask me how) I made a lot of friends. I met people from all over the world.”

Maria
Colombia

Life at INTO USF

After the first week is over, you’ll start to see what life is like at USF! You’ll make even more friends, start taking your classes, and begin enjoying social activities on campus.

I met people from all over the world. It’s been awesome – people with different styles of living and totally different points of view, which has been hilarious and incredible. At INTO USF, I’ve improved my English, so now it’s easier to talk and enjoy activities.

This trip for me was the most beautiful experience of my life. We shared moments of joy, laughing, and adventure that will remain in my heart forever.”

Maria
Colombia

The INTO program has a lot of activities. Every Tuesday and Thursday we have conversation corners, which is time for students who want to practice English and get along with other students. I never miss a conversation corner – they are so much fun! The student leaders are really cheerful and friendly, and they’re also students, so that makes it more friendly and comfortable.

One of the things that impressed me the most about this university: the friendliness of the students. The students here aren’t just friendly but also really polite. They hold the door for you, or open the door for you when you forget your ID or your hands are too full..”

Danna
Ecuador

USF has a tutoring center, where they help you with homework and fixing your grammar. You can also take TOEFL or IELTS lessons with good teachers; it’s really helpful. USF also has hundreds of clubs. You can join any club you want – any hobby you like to do, you can find there. It helps you learn English in fun and entertaining ways.”

Heba
Saudi Arabia

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Thank you so much to all of these students for telling us about their first few weeks at INTO USF!

Now we want to turn the question to you:

Have you ever moved to a new place? What were the first few days or weeks like for you?