Arrival Information
A Letter from the Office of Diversity
Greetings from the Office of Diversity at Otterbein
University! We are really excited that you are attending Otterbein
University this fall. We are busy preparing for your arrival. I just wanted to
take few moments to introduce myself and give you some very important
information about the programs and services provided by the Office of
Diversity. My name is Lisa Phillips. I am the director of the Office of
Diversity. The other two staff members in our office are James Prysock, program
coordinator and Natalie Stoyle, administrative assistant. In the Office of
Diversity, we work closely with the Center for International Education and
Global Engagement (CIEGE) to ensure that you have all of the support that you
need to be successful at Otterbein University. I coordinate the non-residential
host family program, international student orientation, Airport service when
you first arrive, linen service, the mandatory insurance program, and through
our work advising the International Student Association, we plan trips for fall
and spring break, as well as other excursions and activities. Please read this
letter very carefully. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to
contact me at (614) 823-1589 or lphillips@otterbein.edu. Non-Residential Host
Family Program The host family program has been active at Otterbein
University for many years. Our Non-Residential Host Family Program
provides you the opportunity to learn more about American Culture through
interaction with a family in the Westerville/Columbus community. You DO
NOT LIVE with your host family, but they will be around
to help you get settled. Host Families often invite students to
participate in family activities such as sporting events, meals, and community
programs and activities. They are interested in learning about your culture and
family and will provide you the opportunity to learn
about theirs. Some host families have maintained relationships with the
students they have hosted for many years. Often the Relationship begins with
the Host Family picking you up from the airport and bringing you to campus
(although depending upon the time of arrival, sometimes the Host Family
will invite the student to stay at their home for the first night). Before assigning
you a Host Family, we would like to make sure that you are
interested in participating in the program International Student Orientation International Student Orientation will begin on Monday, August
18, 2014 and run through Saturday, August 23, 2014. This orientation is
designed to help prepare you for the academic, social and culture challenges
you will face as an international student at Otterbein University. It will be
both informative and fun. Orientation is mandatory for all new international
students. More details about orientation
will be sent to you in early August, but please be ready to begin at 9:00 am on
Monday, August 18, 2014. Arrival Information Please send your arrival information directly
to me, Lisa Phillips, in the Office of Diversity at lphillips@tterbein.edu. If you participate in the
Non-Residential Host Family Program I will make sure that your host family has
that information. If your host family is not able to pick you up from the
airport someone from the Office of Diversity or the Center from
International Education and Global Engagement (CIEGE) will be there to meet you
or we will help you make arrangements to arrive safely at Otterbein University.
When sending your arrival information, please include Airline, Flight Number,
Arrival Time and what airport the flight is coming from (you can also send a
copy of the itinerary (in English) from the airline, this helps us to track the
flight should there be any delays. Around August 1, 2014 you will get the name
and contact information of the person who will meet you at the airport. This
will allow you to contact the person prior to your arrival. Linen For a small fee $25 USD, we can provide one set of sheets, a
blanket, a pillow, a towel and a hand
towel for you to use during your time at Otterbein University. The linen will
be placed in your residence hall or the person who picks you up from the
airport with have the linen along with your residence hall/apartment key.
Insurance International students are required to have accident and illness
insurance. The University works with HTH to provide this service. We have not
received the rates for the upcoming year, but last year the rate was $81.00 a
month. We anticipate that this rate will increase slightly. Insurance is
mandatory and all students will be enrolled for the duration of their stay,
unless they can document in English that they have coverage that is compatible
to what the HTH Insurance provides. If you believe this to be the case, please
submit this information to me, Lisa Phillips at lphillips@otterbein.edu , no later than August 8, 2014. International Student Association – Fall
Activities and Programs The International Student Association (ISA) is a student group
that is made up of international students and American students. As a student
organization, they participate in campus activities; plan programs that help
international students meet American students, and learn about the Westerville
and Columbus community. They plan a fall break trip. Last year the students
went to Chicago, Illinois and the year before they went to Washington, D.C.
This year’s trip will be from October 11, 2014 – October 14, 2014. The location
has not yet been determined, but we are thinking about Niagara Falls, Camping
in the Hocking Hills, Nashville/Gatlinburg, TN. The International Student
Association also plans International Night. International Night showcases both
food and cultural performances from the countries of Otterbein’s International
students. This is a great experience, and I hope all of you will take the
opportunity to share your culture with all of Otterbein. You may want to bring
traditional clothing or other cultural pieces that you may wish to use for your
performance. Even if you don’t think you will perform, it’s always great
to have these sorts of things while you’re here to share with people you meet! Important Fall Dates Homecoming – September 19-20 Fall Break Trip – October 11-14 International Night –November Cedar Point Amusement park Trip – Date to be announced I know that this is a lot of information! Please
review carefully, and let me know if you have any questions. To register to
participate in the non-residential host family program and linen program,
please complete this form. Even if you are not going to participate in the
non-residential host family program or linen service, use this form to share
your arrival information. https://docs.google.com/a/otterbein.edu/forms/d/1UfTZIvApucPv2gmIhelPMzuxn_-2QBiZkJ88RX6BT1o/viewform
The Office of Diversity and the Center for International
Education and Global Engagement (CIEGE) work closely to ensure that you have a
good stay at Otterbein University. If you have any questions about the
information listed above you can contact me at lphillips@otterbein.edu. Again, I am really excited that you are
coming to Otterbein University and I look forward to meeting you. | 
