International students sometimes see most basic tasks as difficulties on arrival in the United States.

Student organizations collaborate with the Office of International Services to function as a single unit in times of difficulties and try to help international students in every possible way, according to Thomas Greene, associate director of OIS.

Green said he feels that an international student has to go through a “test of will” during application process and on arrival in the U.S.

“Learning a new language, the application process and the visa process could be intimidating even if it goes well,” Greene said.

Basic tasks, such as grocery shopping and getting a phone, can be a problem for international students.

Sangram Chavan, a graduate student in business administation and a member of MAITRI, Indian Graduate Student Association said it is difficult to do certain things without a Social Security Number.

“On arrival, we walked to Food Lion but the rest of the things were pretty inaccessible. We didn’t have a cell phone and getting one without Social Security Number was a problem,” Chavan said.

According to Greene, OIS gets huge number of questions every year.

“Every effort is made to respond as soon as we can. We try to bring clarity where there might not be any,” Greene said.

According to Chavan, after arrival it’s total chaos in the life of an international student.

“Finding an apartment is a problem. Setting up bank account, progress energy connection and water connection without a Social Security Number are problems. Getting a Social Security Number is a problem if you miss the OIS session,” Chavan said.

Ketaki Bhosekar, a graduate student in computer networks and the general secretary for MAITRI, said she feels most international students need to get an on-campus job to get a Social Security Number.

Greene said he acknowledges the help of support groups like MAITRI and CSSFA (Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association).

“International students need people to be helpful to them and we definitely need MAITRI and CSSFA and groups like that,” Greene said.

Some international student organizations provide airport pickups and temporary accommodation to new incoming students

“We at MAITRI provided airport pickup facility to over 330 International students and temporary accommodation to 275 Indian students,” Bhosekar said.

According to Bhosekar, providing temporary accommodation for these students is a huge task. 

“The major problem was to provide accommodation to them all because number of volunteers was very limited,” Bhosekar said.

Though MAITRI and CSSFA are associated with most international students, it is the students from under-represented countries that face further problems.

“For under-represented countries, we work with the students on a departmental level,” Greene said.

Bhosekar said she feels the collaboration between OIS, MAITRI and other student organizations has been excellent over this fall. 

According to Greene, international students are not different from any other American student on campus.

“International students do have some extra needs but they are not special needs,” Greene said.

Greene said he feels international students are not an anomaly or exception and they need to assimilate to the culture of N.C. State quickly.

“The University should start getting culturally adjusting to the reality that international students are not an exception to the rule,” Greene said. “An international student is just as any other student and we need to acknowledge that they are not optional at N.C State.”