Moving to a new country is never easy for anyone, especially when you’re moving for school and do not know a single person at first. If you’re feeling lost and afraid, believe me, you are not the only one.  

It may seem scary because it feels like you are all alone, but you are not. Here are five essential things to keep in mind for a smooth fresh start at Texas Wesleyan, by yours truly, a senior international student from Vietnam. 

 1. Transportation 

 Transportation must be one of the biggest challenges for new international students. Fort Worth does not have a developed and accessible public transportation system, which makes moving around challenging for international students who do not own a car.  However, if you live on campus, it is not impossible to live an off-campus life. Texas Wesleyan provides a service called “Ram Route,” which provides free transportation for students to destinations like downtown or grocery stores. Keep an eye on your school email account to learn about operation hours and other details for the service.  

 2. What’s free on campus? 

 Many resources are provided on campus to make sure you have a smooth transition into your new life. Those listed below are free of charge for all Texas Wesleyan students. 

• Free printing at West Library (first 500 copies) 
• Free gym membership at Morton Fitness Center 
• Free health consultation at Wesleyan Health Services office (located in West Village, 110) 
• Free counselling for those dealing with homesickness, culture shock, etc. Call 817-531-4859 to schedule an appointment. Please take advantage of this if you feel like you need someone to talk to. Your mental health is important.  
• Free tutoring at the Academic Success Center, located inside West Library) 

• Free swimming at the pool inside Sid Richardson pool 
• Free massage (by schedule on Wednesdays only) at Morton Fitness Center 
• Free food/snacks at the Food Pantry (located in PUMC) 

 3. Special Holidays 

 There are several National Holidays during which the university closes, which means no classes (Yay!). Our cafeteria is also closed on these occasions so plan ahead. The International Office and Student Life often give out snack packages for students staying on campus on holidays so keep an eye out for their emails.  

4. Essential Contacts 

• The International Office is my go-to if I run into any kind of problem. You can get help at 817-531-5868 or simply come to the office in the Dan Waggoner Annex. 

• Another point of contact that can provides immediate assistance is the RA. It is advisable that you have your RA contact information and do not hesitate to ask them for assistance at any point as RAs are on call 24/7. 

• Security (817-531-4911): Texas Wesleyan campus security provides escort for safety from and to anywhere on campus. If you feel unsafe at any point, please don’t hesitate to call and ask for someone to escort you to your destination safely. This is also the number you need to call when you get locked out of your room/building so have it saved! 

5. Don’t be scared to ask 

 This is not necessarily a point, but I just want you to know that help is always available and all you need to do is ask. Texas Wesleyan is a small, close-knit community where faculty and staff are open to questions or requests that you might have. As long as you reach out, you will find assistance.