Support and Success Initiatives

Programming and Engagement

Global Citizens, Local Impact

Greetings from the International Student Programming and Engagement unit within the Center for Global Engagement! We are here to help you succeed as an international student in Flint.

Cultural exchange enriches us as individuals and the world around us. By sharing experiences and traditions, we can better understand and collaborate with each other. We can challenge stereotypes, break barriers, and build positive and meaningful relationships with friends from any walk of life.

Getting to Campus

The CGE offers transportation from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport or the Flint Bishop Airport. To ensure a ride, please complete the arrival form in iService.

If you arrive at any other airport, the following are some ways you can get to campus:

• Uber
• Lyft
• MTA route from the Flint–Auburn Hills stop

If you arrive in Flint and have not arranged a pickup, you can download TransLoc to use Safe Ride, our free transportation service on campus.

International Student Orientation

International Student Orientation (ISO) is mandatory for all incoming exchange students, graduates, undergraduates, transfers, and sponsored students, whether you are arriving in the United States for the first time or transferring from another U.S. school.

During ISO, you will:

• Build community — get connected with a Global Guide and meet your fellow international students during a fun-filled week
• Learn about what you can do to stay up to date with visa compliance rules and regulations
• Get educated on U.S. academic structure and expectations
• Connect with support services on campus
• Prepare for the most culturally enriching and positively engaging experience as a Wolverine at UM-Flint

International Education Week

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.

International Grocery Tour

International students often have difficulty finding the flavors of home, so we offer monthly trips to international grocery stores in the Flint and metro Detroit area. Current stops on the international grocery tours include:

• Sahara Foods
• Patel Brothers
• Ali International Supermarket
• 168 Asian Mart
• Comfort African-Caribbean Market

Cook w/ Me

Sharing Cultures Through Meals

Cook w/ Me is a unique, ongoing program where international students can share a taste of home with the campus community. Students suggest their favorite recipes, and together we learn to cook the meal and enjoy it family-style. It’s a hands-on way for Wolverines to explore different cultures, try new foods, and connect with peers in a relaxed and welcoming environment. International students, student organizations, and campus partners can collaborate with the Center for Global Engagement to share traditional recipes from home.

International Student Advocacy Council

The International Student Advocacy Council (ISAC) is a group of dedicated international student leaders committed to serving as a liaison between students and university administration. They bring forward the unique needs of the international student community, ensuring that voices are heard and addressed. Whether it’s academic support, cultural integration, or any aspect of student life, ISAC works to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all international students.

Interested in becoming a member of ISAC? Applications open each spring for the following academic year.

Global Guides

Your Partners in Transition

Our Global Guides are a motivated and positive group of international student orientation leaders here to help new students navigate their transition to life at UM-Flint. As experienced international students, they understand the challenges of adapting to a new environment and are passionate about offering support, guidance, and practical advice. From campus tours to helping with cultural adjustment, our Global Guides are here to ensure every new international student feels welcomed, informed, and connected from the moment they arrive.