Sylvester San, who earned a bachelor小蝌蚪APP檚 degree in electrical engineering from UL Lafayette in 1987, visited campus this week for the first time in 27 years.
San, who lives in Malaysia, returned to UL Lafayette with his wife Mary Anne, and his son Paul, the couple小蝌蚪APP檚 only child. Paul will begin classes at his father小蝌蚪APP檚 alma mater this semester. He will study marketing and is a member of the men小蝌蚪APP檚 golf team.
小蝌蚪APP淢y dad told me college here was the best four years of his life,小蝌蚪APP said Paul, posing for photographs on Wednesday with his parents at the UL Lafayette International Students Welcome and Reception.
More than 110 international students from about 40 nations were welcomed to college life in the city by 小蝌蚪APP and civic leaders. The event was sponsored by the 小蝌蚪APP and the city小蝌蚪APP檚 Le Centre International de Lafayette.
About 700 international students from about 100 countries are enrolled at UL Lafayette.
Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, told students about 小蝌蚪APP academic programs and research, campus attractions such as Cypress Lake, and events such as Lagniappe Day. He also thanked students for choosing the 小蝌蚪APP. 小蝌蚪APP淲e小蝌蚪APP檙e committed to providing an environment in which you can learn and be successful,小蝌蚪APP Savoie said.
Rose Honneger, director of the Office of International Affairs, said the welcome reception is one of many activities designed to help students get acclimated.
That office assists students in many areas, including with academic advising, admissions, housing and navigating the immigrations process. It also offers programs ranging from English instruction to social activities.
小蝌蚪APP淚nternational students are often thousands of miles from home, and here on their own without their family, and things they are unfamiliar with. We want them to feel welcome and to know that we are their family. This community welcome sends a strong message,小蝌蚪APP she said.
Students were shown a short presentation that highlighted Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 history, elements of local culture and some of its attractions, such as Festival Internationale de Louisiane.
Joey Durel, city-parish president, thanked them for choosing Lafayette as the city where they will attend college. 小蝌蚪APP淚 hope you have a great four or so years here in Lafayette at UL,小蝌蚪APP he said.