At Trent, everyone has a name. On September 4, the Trent International Program (TIP) Camp welcomes Murun, Adjilao, Takahiro, Shangsi, Mandeep, Almendra, Nur, and 143 other new students from across the globe.

Running through Monday, September 7, TIP will hold its annual orientation camp at Camp Kawartha for 150 students representing more than 52 countries from around the world.

“TIP Camp is our way of not just welcoming new international students to Trent and Peterborough, but getting to know them so that they truly feel they are a part of our community,” says Dr. Michael Allcott, TIP director. “We invite all residents of Peterborough and area to join us in welcoming these international students to our community – they will be your neighbours, your customers, your tenants, and your friends. We hope that you take the opportunity to get to know them by name and help to celebrate the cultural richness and diversity that students bring to the city.”

Over the course of the camp, new students will have a chance to connect with upper-year students from both Canada and abroad to share their experiences of travel, studies at Trent and life in Peterborough. With new students coming from countries including Vietnam, China, Germany, Burundi, Mongolia, Turkey, and El Salvador, the mission of TIP Camp is to create a warm, inviting and inclusive atmosphere to help make the transition to Canada smooth and positive for everyone.

Dr. Steven Franklin, Trent’s new president and vice-chancellor will be on hand at the camp to join with staff and community members in welcoming the University’s new international students.

Students taking part in TIP Camp will be picked up in Toronto at Pearson International Airport where they will be transported directly to Camp Kawartha, located 20 minutes outside of Peterborough. For four days, new students will have a chance to take in the beautiful natural setting of the Canadian wilderness while learning about Canada’s heritage and connection with the land. For many students, this will be their first time swimming and canoeing in a natural lake or stargazing at night in the Northern Hemisphere.

TIP Camp is an invaluable chance for international students to learn about the cultural differences they will encounter in Canada while studying at Trent as well as learn about their academic responsibilities and to form new friendships with their peers. Following TIP Camp, new students will be escorted to Trent University on Monday, September 7 at 1 p.m. to begin ISW.