GSU hosts international 2022 graduate reception
The International Graduate Reception 2022 took over Engbretson Hall, just days before Commencement 2022. This event, hosted by The Office of International Services (OIS) at Governors State University (GSU), was a celebration of all recent international graduating students. They celebrated with festive decorations, music, dimmed lights and multicolored strobe lights.
Sunil Kumar Devarakonda, a 2022 graduate and Computer Science Major said, “Attending this reception was one of the greatest memories in my life.” She said her first sweet memory of GSU was landing her first on-campus job as a student worker. Sunil originally hails from Perecherla, India.
Mounika Kadumu, who has earned his Master's of Science in Computer Science degree at GSU and is also graduating in 2022, said, “My best memory at GSU was working as an office assistant in International Services. I learned how to speak to people without hesitation and I now have the body language to be a professional.” He said the international graduate reception allowed him to think about all the memories that were made at GSU, and also gave him one last time to meet all his friends and wish them good luck. He is originally from Hyderabad, India.
Approximately 30 international students were present along with their guests. It was only the second reception that OIS has ever hosted for international graduates, the first one happened before COVID.
The evening was more laid back, and the program was light, as they focused more time on mingling, eating, and taking photos. Also during the evening, photos were collected along with quotes from alumni that were in attendance and later presented in a slideshow.
OIS serves all international students, international faculty, staff, study abroad students and their families. This office welcomes GSU’s international community members, embraces them, and helps them make GSU home.