As one session comes to a close, another begins. The Cross Cultural Internship Program (www.fusia.net) welcomed its second session of interns to New York City with a post-arrival orientation. At the session, the group reviewed information it will need to succeed while here and discussed potential group activities.

Led by Elizabeth Kay, the program's responsible officer and founder, the orientation was also a time for the new arrivals to meet and get to know each other. The participants are students from a dozen universities across East Asia, some of whom have never been to the United States previously.

"I'm excited for the next two months," one of the students said. "I'm a little nervous, too, but we've had a lot of preparation, and I know I'm here with a good group."

As she did with the first session, following the orientation, Elizabeth took the group leaders to dinner to express appreciation for their efforts. These leaders will be in charge of organizing the activities and serve as a liaison between the exchange visitors and the program administrators.

"This is a great opportunity," one of the student leaders said. "It's not only a chance to gain skills for my career, but I'm going to meet new people who I hope to stay in touch with for a long time."