A Warm Welcome in a New Place

Day 1 marked the beginning of a journey I had long been waiting for. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I was warmly welcomed by Ma’am Fe and Kuya Iren, whose kindness immediately made me feel safe and comfortable in a completely new place.

We then headed straight to Mariano Marcos State University, where we were introduced at the Dean’s Office to the faculty members and staff. Meeting them for the first time felt both exciting and a little overwhelming, but their warm smiles and friendly gestures quickly eased my nerves.

What touched me the most was how genuinely welcoming everyone was. The lecturers, staff, and students made a great effort to ensure that we, as international students, felt included and supported from the very beginning.

The day continued with a simple yet meaningful lunch together at the mall filled with light conversations, laughter, and the start of new connections. In that moment, I realized that even though I was far from home, I was surrounded by warmth that made everything feel a little closer.