Who are the Global Greeters?

Each fall, over 700 international undergraduate and graduate students arrive at the University of Virginia. Not only do these students face the challenges of entering a new university, they also face the challenges of dealing with a new culture that is often extremely different from their own.

Through the Global Greeters program, UVA students work with the International Studies Office to assist and welcome incoming international undergraduate and graduate students during the summer before their arrival and in their first weeks at UVA. Global Greeters come together to welcome international students arriving to UVA via Student Council's AirBus Service and can be identified by their name tags and light blue Global Greeters T-Shirts. Many of the activities Global Greeters offer are organized by themselves and are meant to provide support and be a resource to new students. Global Greeters events are intended for incoming international students and exchange students, but all are welcome.

Follow Global Greeters on Facebook and Instagram!

Join Global Greeters: Apply HERE

Recruitment for new Greeters takes place each spring semester. Our application deadline has been extended - applications for 2024 are open from March 25 to April 14. Apply today!

Requirements:

• Be a full-time student at UVA for the 2024-2025 school year. 
• Complete an application and attend 1 group meeting in April (date TBD) and 1 training session on Monday, August 19th, 2024.
• Throughout the summer of 2024, take an active part in the planning and organization of the Global Greeters events scheduled for international student orientation (estimated time commitment: 5-10 hours during the summer of 2024).
• Facilitate or help lead 2-3 Global Greeters events during international students' orientation week, from Tuesday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 25 (estimated time commitment: 8-15 hours, dependent on availability). 
  • Events may include: campus tours, grocery store outings, picnics on the Lawn, Corner dinners
• Must plan to be present in Charlottesville starting Monday, August 19 for afternoon training.

 

Global Greeters are NOT responsible for and should NOT feel obligated to:

• Offer housing to students, either during the academic year or during vacations.
• Provide transportation to and from the airport or within the city.
• Spend any money on, or loan any money to the student for food, clothes, entertainment, etc.
• Give advice on or intervene in academic, legal, or employment matters.

 

Links and Resources

Meet the Global Greeters

2023 Schedule of Events

Resource Guide for Undergraduate Students

Resource Guide for Graduate Students

Global Greeters Contacts

Global Greeters Executive Team:

• Megnot Abebe, [email protected]
• Sharis Chung, [email protected] 
• Xuxin Fan, [email protected]
• Ploi Sripoom, [email protected]
• Estelle He, [email protected]
• Chinmay Nair, [email protected] 
• Ploi Sripoom, [email protected]

 

International Studies Office Staff Advisors:

• Adrienne Kim Bird, [email protected]
• Grace Medrano, [email protected]