Every semester, the International Assistant Program organizes activities and events in collaboration with the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) so that international students can have the chance to experience American culture.  For example, last semester the International Assistants (IAs) planned events for a Thanksgiving Dinner, Halloween, and a Holiday Social. 

Tuesday, April 3rd was an enjoyable day for international students and their International Assistants.  In celebration of the recent Easter holiday, the IAs showed students how to dye eggs in bright shades of blue, pink, green and yellow.  As explained to them, coloring or dyeing eggs is an Easter tradition in the U.S. 

Usually the dyed eggs are hidden the night before Easter so that young kids can find them on Sunday morning, known as an Easter Egg Hunt.  Many American kids grew up learning about the Easter Bunny, who hides the eggs while everyone is sleeping.  The next morning, the children wake up excited to find the eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden.  Sometimes he will leave an Easter basket full of candy and small toys, and the basket can then be used to find the eggs.

Nowadays it is common for plastic eggs filled with candy to be hidden instead of real eggs.  Sometimes families do both. 

Overall, it was an enjoyable time for all students. 

In addition to formal IA events, the IAs enjoy organizing activities on their own, such as visits to ethnic restaurants and trips around the U.S.

The New IAs were just selected for this coming academic year 2012-2013, and the New IA Training was held April 29th.  The IAs will play an integral role in the International Student Orientation, which will be August 28-30th.

If you are interested in becoming an IA, please refer to our website for more information about the International Assistant Program.  We accept applications each spring for the following academic year www.bc.edu/ia

International Students with their freshly dyed eggs!