The Marshall University INTO center kicked off the semester with a welcome back party on the lawn of the INTO center building. The event encouraged students to join the celebration with food, games and music.

“I didn’t know about it until my friend called me,” said Marshall student Wael Abulareesh. “But I think it’s fun meeting new people and different cultures.”

The INTO Center has a welcome back party at the beginning of each semester for all of the students at Marshall.

“It gives students who haven’t gotten that connection with anyone yet to make that connection,” said Student Engagement Coordinator Kenny Jones.

Jones is responsible for all the student events that occur through the INTO center and he encourages non-INTO students to take part in the events he coordinates.

“There’s this community in the INTO center and I love it,” said Jones. “When I have a question about a student’s culture they are eager to answer questions about their culture and are just as excited to learn about American culture.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

Kayleigh Terrell | The Parthenon
Environmental sciences graduate Merry Rumboirusi plays kick ball at the INTO Open House, August 29, 2016.

The INTO center is welcoming 350 new international students this semester and the center gives all of them a home base.

“Most of the international students are away from home,” said INTO volunteer Omar Mahamed. “We want them to feel like they are welcome here.”

Jones puts together events that all students are welcome to join, such as Puppies and Popsicles, Night Sky Zip Line Tour and Candy Dash/ Midterm Zen.

“The center allows for a deep cultural experience that you can’t get anywhere else in Marshall or Huntington,” Jones said.

INTO also encourages the students in the program to venture out on campus and get involved with campus activities, including Free Concert Friday, Screen on the Green and CAB on the Plaza.

Monica Zalaznik can be contacted at [email protected].