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Deah Gulley

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Deah Gulley

“I've spent most of my adult working career abroad. I think there's a huge difference in international exchange and tourist traveling. I can remember living abroad for so long that I and the people around me very much differentiated between 'tourists' and 'travelers.' International exchange lets you be in the culture. You're not just there to sightsee or see the famous things or be there for a moment, trying to bring your culture with you... being there for a longer period of time changes the way that you see the rest of the world, and changes the way you see yourself in the rest of the world. It starts to break down that 'other'. There's always that first moment when you realize 'Oh my gosh. It's true what everybody says. We are more alike than we are different.'                              

When I came back to the US, I really missed the international community and so I wanted to work with international students, but I didn't want to go back into the classroom. So I said, what I'd really like to do is work in an office for international students in a university. Having been on the other side of it for so long, I know that when you come to a new place as a student or a scholar, you need a landing place. Even with all of the orientations, with all of the information online, you still need somewhere, some base, to touch where you can go to get help. And that's the way I see OISS. It's a touchstone and a place for people to get assistance and then move them into the bigger Tulane community.”

Kennis Htet

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Kennis Htet

"I come from a country that is politically corrupt and we have virtually a non-existent healthcare system. It's one of the worst healthcare systems in the world. People just dying from preventable stuff like [lack of] clean water, sanitation... very basic human needs. So I have this perspective of how precious life is and how people sometimes take healthcare for granted. That's why I have a really strong passion for health -because I come from somewhere where it's very unavailable.

What I like about Tulane and this community as a whole is how individualistic people are. They know what they want and they form their own path. They actually have their own aspirations and their own goals. Back home in Burma, it's a different thing. It's more collective. People don't really carve their own path. They kind of let parents or guardians or peers make their paths for them.

I want to be a doctor and am studying political science at the same time because I want to go back home one day to successfully change the healthcare system. My healthcare system is deeply rooted in politics, so you need the knowledge of political science and then you need the skills and knowledge of being a doctor to go back and change it. That's my dream. Hopefully I can achieve part of it one day."

Leila Pashazanusi

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Leila Pashazanusi

I joined Tulane fulltime in 2014 for a PhD program in chemical engineering. The moment I arrived in New Orleans I fell in love with the city, culture and people. I love how friendly the people are and how much they celebrate life. I have lively friends. And am in the city with people who not only teach me the language but also on having on open heart and mind.

Fabian Cabresa

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Fabian Cabresa

I came to Tulane without knowing how great the city of New Olreans is and how amazing are the faculty are at the university. I thought I knew English, and guess what? I was wrong!!! But I've learned a lot about the language and the academic subjects.

Andres Arango Vallejo

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Andres Arango Vallejo

"I am from Cali, Colombia, but I studied in an American school in Colombia, so all of my classes were in English. And all of my teachers were American. If you're exposed to different cultures since you are very young, I think your mind just has no frontiers. For example, Colombia is a third world country and people think about things from a very rational point of view. Americans are maybe a bit more dreamy and they think that they can reach whatever they put their minds to. Colombians are so much more down to earth about certain things and they just think 'It's ridiculous. I will never do this. Why should they even try?' Just being exposed to [American culture] gave me [the sense of] 'Why not?' Go for it. Try it out see what happens.

I'm an MBA student that has been out in the real world getting experience and many full time MBA students here have not had that much real life experience. So I try to give a little bit of my experience, my real life experience. So sometimes when you think about things, the sky's the limit, right? But when I go into class and I try to drag everybody down to the earth. The most stupid example, it's like 'When do you think cars will drive by themselves?' And some people are like "Oh 5, 10 years, all around the world for sure!' I'm like 'No no no no no. In certain parts of the U.S, maybe. But like, come on, in Colombia? That's going to take them more than 10 years! That for sure is not going to happen. You've got to lower your expectations there.' It is interesting to see how our backgrounds shape us. Actually that's the most interesting thing for me as an international student to be here to see that open minded picture. But also it's interesting for the students that are here to have me as a classmate because they can see how I see life and how things are from a different point of view."

Sam Wu

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Sam Wu

"In China, people say things directly. They don't use like 'can I...' do something. Sometimes, if you say it like 'give me that' -it's kind of rude in American culture. But it's okay in Chinese culture. That's the way we communicate. Soby that I mean to say all different cultures deal with things and have different perspectives. There's no way that you can learn those things from books.

When international students try to speak English to people around them, they're not always really sure, really confident [in their words], and that can become a barrier. And the same is true not only from the international student perspective, but also from the American student perspective -they think, 'if I say this, will they be able to understand me?' So because of that there's certain barriers between local students and international students and that's not a good thing. Once you get to know people, you see that people are willing to teach you. If you have the attitude of learning to communicate, you grow really quick. You figure out that people will respond to you, they will tell you what they know.

My recommendation is: do not be afraid of talking to people. Break that barrier. Make friends with them and you will come to realize that there's not much difference. Step out of your comfort zone, to do things that you're not really good at, not used to doing."

Our Role Within the Global Community

Tulane’s OISS is the designated office on campus to provide immigration advising and support services to Tulane's international community, specifically individuals in F, J, and H status.  We invite you to explore our website as it provides comprehensive information on government regulations and other important campus and community resources.  Also make sure you check out the Calendar of Events for upcoming programs and activities! OISS is your home away from home and it is our privilege to serve you.

Our strong belief is that an international community enriches Tulane University and New Orleans, making it an essential component to understanding our role within the current global landscape. We invite all students, faculty, staff, and the community to be a part of this ever-growing international culture and to relish the contributions that this population brings to our surroundings.

 

Donate to the International/Undocumented Student Emergency Fund

 

International Students
International Students

This section contains specific information for both new and continuing undergraduate, exchange, and graduate students in F-1 and J-1 visa status at Tulane.

Faculty and Scholars
Faculty and Scholars

The scholar section contains specific information for J-1 visiting scholars/professors, and H-1B employees at Tulane University.

Departments

This section contains important information for Tulane departments on how to host visiting scholars, sponsor H-1B employees, and bring special international groups to campus.  

OISS Services and Hours

Learn more about OISS hours, making an appointment, and requesting documents from OISS staff.

Important COVID 19 Updates for International Students and Scholars

Information for new and returning/ current international students and scholars COVID-19 and to travel, enrollment, F-1 and J-1 regulations. 

OISS Orientations

Complete orientation information for new international students.

Tulane’s International Community is making Waves.

Our International students and scholars talk Tulane, New Orleans and their involvement in OISS.

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Increase in Students Falling Victim to Scams
OISS Welcomes New Director, Frank Calabrese
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