Stepping into different environments and immersing yourself in new people and cultures is quite a daunting experience for international students. It can challenge their sense of comfort, familiarity, and identity while marking the beginning of an exciting yet uncertain journey of growth and independence.
To help international students navigate this journey, the University of Pretoria (UP) offers an International Orientation that is designed to support first-time international undergraduate, postgraduate, and exchange students to help them adjust to university life. It also lets them adapt to and understand the South African culture. This programme provides mentorship, engaging activities, and relationship-building opportunities to ensure a smooth transition into both academic and social life at UP. This year, the orientation session took place on 31 January.
To gain a better understanding of this event, PDBY sat down with two members of UP’s International Cooperation Division (ICD) in the Department of Research and Innovation. These individuals were Jenny Lambinon, an immigration officer, and Smart Maqubela, an international and postgraduate consultant.
Can you tell us more about UP’s orientation programme for international students?
This [day] consists of an information session in which speakers from different sections of the UP community will address the students. This is followed by talks from the recommended medical aid service providers for international students (Momentum Health and Compcare Wellness Medical Scheme) during their studies at the university. Selected members of the ICD staff will also speak as our department is responsible for making sure that international students comply with the immigration requirements to study.
So basically, it is meant to help ease their entry into the university and to make them aware of the services that are available to them as both international students and university students. The purpose of this orientation is to provide these students with information on where to go for their general academic needs and also needs specific to them as international students.
For some, it will be their first time outside of their home country, and they may have fears about their safety and security while in South Africa. Because of this, we felt that it was necessary to get them immediately acquainted with campus security. We wanted them to talk to the students about safety and security, as well as things they can do during the duration of their studies to minimise the probability of them coming into harm.
What inspired UP to create this special orientation programme?
We found that the general information and orientation day for all UP students doesn’t speak specifically to the unique circumstances of international students. So, many years ago, it was decided that there is a need for an orientation that focuses on just international students. We felt it [was] necessary to bridge the information gap that these students may have about an array of issues that concern them in person. These include issues around immigration, residences and housing placements, medical aid providers, safety and security, and other issues that are unique to them. This orientation gives [the ICD] and university as a whole the opportunity to address and clarify questions related to these issues directly to the students.
How does this orientation help international students feel welcome and supported?
The Head of the ICD division will speak to the students about what they are joining [when they] become students at UP. This talk from the head of the division makes them aware of what it will mean to be a part of this university community. Moreover, the purpose of this talk is to highlight that the ICD is the first point of call for international students during their studies at UP.
How will the orientation programme help international students adjust to life at UP specifically and Pretoria as a whole?
The orientation connects new students with one another and with existing students, ensuring that they don’t have to start from scratch. They can learn from the experiences of those who have already navigated university life. We also emphasise a buddy system, allowing international students to build friendships with both local students and peers of other nationalities. This encourages international students to mingle and socialise with their peers and their environment outside of the classroom.
Are there any plans to expand this orientation programme this year?
The one-day orientation that happens for first-time international students is the only programme we are [currently] hosting as the general orientation for all first-years addresses faculty-related queries. The international student orientation does occur twice a year. In January, it is aimed at full-degree seeking students, and in July, it is aimed at short-stay or exchange students. But the programme’s aims are the same.
Any additional remarks?
Maqubela: We are here for the students. Whenever an international student is not sure about something, they can come to us and we will guide them.That is what we are here for.
Lambinon: As the ICD, we really try our utmost best, exhausting all avenues to help the students, and normally, 90% of the time, we are successful and that’s what makes it nice. [Those of us] who work here have a passion for internationalisation. I love my international students, so we really go that extra mile for them as we enjoy the work we do.
PDBY managed to speak to SRC member Tumelo Khoabane, whose portfolio focuses on postgraduate and international student affairs. We asked him how the SRC ensures that the voices and cases of international students are heard, to which he replied, “When it comes to international students, there are two main avenues for assistance. The first is the SRC portfolio for postgraduate and international student affairs, which liaises with the ICD to resolve issues. The second is the UP International Student Society (UPI) for international students. [This group] understands the unique challenges [these students] face and [they] work closely with my office, the postgraduate and international student affairs, to address these challenges.” He further added that throughout the 2025 academic year, international students can expect quite a few events and socials to help them let loose and have some fun. He concluded his interview by offering this advice to international students: “Get involved, participate in sports activities, cultural activities, or socials. Break the ice. Go sightseeing because Pretoria has a lot of beautiful scenery. There’s amazing food and activities that students get involved in to blow off steam from academic stresses.”
The PDBY team also asked a few international students how they felt about this orientation. These were their thoughts:
“[It was] comforting as the university prepared [these activities] to make us feel comfortable in a foreign country away from everything we find familiar,” said a Madagascan exchange student.
“I got a lot more information about life at UP and in Pretoria,” said a Japanese exchange student.
“I got all the information I needed about the university and also learnt how welcoming they are of international students. The safety and security information session was really helpful as it gave me assurance that I would be safe here during my studies,” said a full-time student from Zambia.
“I wanted to find out what I should do in certain situations and who I should contact. The orientation information session gave me clarity,” said a full-time student that is a Swazi National of Portuguese descent.
If you are an international student facing challenges, or just a student interested in study exchange programmes, you can contact the ICD at isd@up.ac.za, or visit their offices in the Graduate Centre Building.
