On September 4^th and 5^th, 253 international students from 42 countries including South Korea, Japan, Russia, Thailand, India, Sweden and Argentina arrived at Jilin University (JLU) for enrollment.

On the afternoon of September 5^th, Zhang Xiangdong, Vice President of JLU, came to the enrollment hall on the first floor of Friendship Guesthouse. He greeted international students going through the enrollment process, had friendly chats with them, asked about their enrollment and expressed his hope that they could soon adapt to the life in JLU. He also showed his appreciation for the orientation arrangements.

To make sure that things could go smoothly for the new students, the College of International Education meticulously arranged for the reception, enrollment and registration. Together with other JLU departments such as the School of International Chinese Language Education, Office of Financial Affairs and International Exchange & Service Center under Logistics Group as well as the Bank of China and China Mobile, the College of International Education offered one-stop service to the new students. The students first submitted personal information, then had their photo taken, validated their data in the system, paid their tuition, made an appointment for physical examination, handled the residence formalities, collected their registration notice from the college, handled accommodation and got their bank card and SIM card. The one-stop efficient service helped the new students with what they needed in JLU. On the site, there were also drink zone, waiting zone and donated items zone. The new students received more than 300 items donated by JLU faculties. Vice President Zheng Weitao also brought items for the new students.

         FERNANDEZ PUJALTE MARIEL, a student from Argentina on Confucius Institute Scholarship, had already learned Chinese at the Confucius Institute at the University of Buenos Aires and could speak Chinese fluently. This fall, she chose to study Chinese in JLU for a year. She hoped to have a better understanding of the Chinese culture and China’s rapidly-growing economy. She said that she would work on Chinese teaching after graduation.

Hussein is an Egyptian student sponsored by the Chinese Government Scholarship and would major in business management. He said that one needed to pass the Chinese language proficiency test and get many applications approved to become eligible for the scholarship. He also said that more and more people were learning Chinese and came to study in China. His Chinese teacher graduated from JLU. That is why he had always wanted to study in this university.

Hong Zhimin is a language student from South Korea. She came to JLU on account of an exchange program between it and Keimyung University. She favored JLU because it was well-known in South Korea. New to the campus, she already felt the meticulousness and thoroughness of the university and looked forward to her study here. She said her Chinese was not good enough and hoped to secure great progress in JLU.

Tobias Gustafson, a Swedish student, is well-versed in multiple languages including English, French, Spanish and Russia. Out of his interest in Chinese, he chose to study in JLU for four months at his own expense. When the study is over, his plan is to travel to Southwest China to practice what he learns. JLU is the starting point of his Chinese-learning journey.

One highlight on the orientation site is the voluntary service offered by members from International Students Association in the College of International Education. They were available at each link of enrollment and registration and offered specific and thorough guidance to the new students in English.

Higher international influence of JLU and expansion of its admission efforts lead to a larger number of international students by the year. JLU is expected to admit 570 international students for the fall semester. Compared with last year, the number of international students is higher, and their home countries and majors in JLU are more diverse. Some students are sponsored by Chinese Government Scholarship and Confucius Institute Scholarship, some are participants of inter-university exchange programs, and some are self-funded. Up till now, 253 have registered and the registration for the rest will last until September 30^th. When the registration is over, the College of International Education will organize the new students to receive orientation and physical examination and to get residence permit at several phases.