The India Gateway is hosting two pre-departure orientation (PDO) sessions for admitted students joining Ohio State in autumn 2021. 90 minute-long CarmenZoom sessions are scheduled for graduate and professional students on June 11 and for undergraduate students on June 25.

The graduate student PDO session caters to the South Asia-based students and has registrations from countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Thailand.

The panelists will address how to make most from international higher education as well as cover specific topics such as academic expectations, campus involvement, cultural adjustments, health and safety, vaccination and learning amidst COVID-19.

Invited panelists from different colleges, offices and units on campus include:

• Nina Parshall, director, graduate and recruitment support, College of Engineering
• Paul North, executive director, Fisher College of Business Graduate Programs
• Tiffany Halsell, assistant director, Office of Student Academic Success
• Megan Lawther, program manager for Global Engagement, Office of International Affairs
• Nikhil Tambe, director, India Gateway
• Moderator: Vinod Rani, alumni relations and admin specialist, India Gateway

For the undergraduate student PDO session, the India Gateway teams up with the Office of Student Academic Success, Office of International Affairs and Office of Student Life. Key topics in this session include preparing for academic success, campus involvement, cultural adjustment, transcript submission, health, and safety.

Invited panelists include:

• Marco Chavez, senior assistant director, international recruitment, Office of Student Life
• Ryan Lovell, associate dean of students, Office of Student Life
• Amy Treboni, senior director of academic advising, Office of Student Academic Success
• Caroline Omolesky, program officer for sponsored programs and academic liaison, Office of International Affairs
• Ryan Pereira, regional officer, United States-India Educational Foundation
• Moderator: Vinod Rani, alumni relations and admin specialist, India Gateway