The sky was overcast and the breeze a welcome respite. The Tsurroundings were scenic. We had arrived with our delegation of international students to State Youth Centre, Yavanika for the Orientation Programme for Newly Admitted Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholars as well as self financing students in the city. Jointly organized by Bangalore University (BU), Kanthula Foundation and ICCR, the participating international students were escorted to the Conference Hall after their registration at the counter set out for the purpose. The Welcome Speech by Dr. JW Lobo, Director - ICCR set the things in motion. He encouraged the international students to entertain themselves by visiting many places in India. He also spoke about the merits of traveling in a country that they had opted to study in. This was followed by a speech by Sister Albina, Principal - Mount Carmel College. She extended a warm welcome to the students adding that by studying in India, they too had become a part of India's diverse culture. She was all praises for the foreign students for their noteworthy adjustments they had made to a totally different way of life. The Registrar of BU, Mr. Sanjay Vir Singh, IPS, nostalgically recalled the Bangalore of yester years, without as much traffic and pollution. He also elaborated on the cosmopolitan culture of our city. Mr. Sanjay warned the foreign students about the cultural shock that might bog them down if they were not careful and prepared for it. He advised the students to be open to change and things would definitely be smooth. Prof. Sumanthi Bopalya, from the Department of Psychology, Mount Carmel College, gave an enlightening lecture on 'How to Cope with Cultural Shock'. Her talk focused on the stress the international students go through and ways to deal with it. She cautioned them about the harmful effects of forming stereotypes. She also advised the students on ways to deal with the cultural shock. ber To provide the fun element and to keep the interest quotient alive, the students were introduced to a novel round of Tambola or Housie. An interactive game that it was, it broke the ice between the many students present. Tea session followed this entertaining game. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, FRRO, briefed the students about the Visa and Residential Permit Regulations. Dr. H.M. Revenna Siddiah, Dean Student Welfare and Foreign Students Advisor, BU informed the students about the Welfare Activities at the University. Mr. Ravi Shankar, Managing Trustee, Kanthula Foundation urged the students to contact Kanthula Foundation for any difficulty that they experience during their stay in the city. After this three Best-Outgoing Students were awarded for their splendid performance in the exams during their academic tenure here. The students were Ms. Ajantha from Bangladesh, Ms. Rekha from Sri Lanka and Mr. Taye Endeshaw Gebrawold from Ethiopia, who on receiving their awards gave an acceptance speech. To introduce the students to the heritage of India, a Kathak dance was performed in the Yavanika Auditorium in the State Youth Centre. This was succeeded by the buffet dinner at the Conference Hall which ensured that the enthusiastic but hungry souls of the students returned home satiated. Pulkit Singh BA (Journo, Psy and Eng)