SOCA

FUTURE PROJECTS

1.    SOCA Parents

SOCA Parents will be alumni, faculty and staff living in Georgia who would volunteer to parent an International Student. The SOCA Parents would play the role of that student’s parents and provide primarily emotional and moral support that the real parents provide. A minimum of 10 hours per month is required for the NG Parent to spend with the student. They are encouraged to build a relationship and trust with the student and address their needs as best as they can. Examples of emotional and moral support are being at their graduation, calling to keep in touch and talk about any concerns, provide advice etc.

International Students being away from their countries, family, friends, and way of life would definitely need a parent figure for support. emotional and moral support is the only requirement this program, however, any other kind of support such as inviting for dinner, housing in holiday periods or anything else the SOCA Parent would like to offer is totally their choice but not mandatory to participate in this program.

This program would be especially helpful to new incoming international students that are not familiar with the surroundings. They will be given first priority when pairing up with a SOCA Parent.

The SOCA Parent volunteers will be able to choose which international student they prefer to parent. During the first 90 days of the program, SOCA Parents are asked to keep in frequent communication with the student.

2.      Admissions and Enrollment

In an attempt to strengthen, diverse and expand SOCA, and the NGCSU student population, every member of SOCA would collaborate with the SOCA representative working with International Students Admissions Office. Members would assist in recruiting prospective students from the various parts of the world they came from. Assistance includes providing contact information for interested prospective students and also encourages them to enroll in North Georgia. The initial goal is to enroll at least ten new students for the fall semester 2006.

3.      Orientation

Scheduled for Saturday 26th August ~ The SOCA orientation will begin at 3:30pm and last through dinner. A tour of the entire campus as well as pre-determined introductions to certain faculty and staff will also be included. Dinner will start at 6:00pm will be served in the Chesttatee room in Chow Hall .

4.      SOCA Scholarship

It will be awarded only to the SOCA students involved. Based on participation, the student would be granted a minimum scholarship of $50 that goes only toward tuition fees.

The SOCA officers will decide which students participated in SOCA activities during the last semester and grant that student the scholarship.

5.      Caribbean Fair

Held in the gymnasium, each SOCA country will maintain a booth where they provide samples of their local cuisine, exhibit pictures, art, music, clothing etc. The student can also perform any other operation that they think will portray the culture of their country.

Open to the campus and community, the admission charge will be $3 and all samples are free.

6.      Family Communication

International students in the SOCA who requests a phone card to call home to their families will be provided a maximum of 2 phone cards per semester at no charge. These students will then have an opportunity to talk and keep in touch with their families in other countries.

7.      Books

At the end of each semester, the SOCA will conduct a book exchange among its members. International students will have an opportunity to retrieve text books required for their following semester of classes by exchange or by buying at a cheaper cost than that of the book store.

8.      Villa International

Located in Downtown Atlanta, international students have the option to spend their holidays in a homey complex where they have easy access to the attractions of the city. For minimal cost international students who can’t afford to fly home and want to get away from campus scenery, would enjoy their holidays in the city instead.