USJ Orientation Series Helps New Students Integrate into Campus Life
USJ Orientation Series Helps New Students Integrate into Campus Life
16
Sep
16/09/2025
To assist new students in adapting to the campus environment, the Office for Student and Alumni Affairs of USJ organised a variety of orientation activities during the opening weeks, aimed at promoting interaction, foster friendships, and provide essential information and support among students.
To help new students integrate into the campus environment, the Office for Student and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) planned over ten diverse orientation activities for the academic year 2025/2026. These included the Macao Tourism and Cultural Industry Exploration Tour, a Non-local Student Orientation Session, and induction week activities featuring campus mental health support services introductions and student club recruitment. These initiatives aimed to enhance students’ sense of belonging and team spirit.
Non-local Student Orientation Session Supports Students of Different Nationalities
On the 29th of August, USJ held an inclusive orientation session for non-local students. Representatives from the Judicial Police were invited to deliver a bilingual presentation on preventing telecommunications fraud and drug awareness, equipping students with essential knowledge to protect themselves. In addition to this, the orientation also covered important topics such as the university’s information dissemination channels, campus transportation arrangements, facilities and faculty office locations, student activities, student organizations, and a guide to living around campus.
The event featured a dedicated session for interactions between senior students and newcomers. Through sharing experiences and interactive guidance, senior students provided practical advice and encouragement, helping new students gain confidence as they adapt to their new environment and embark on their university journey. The orientation also included booths from various service providers, such as insurance company, bank, telecommunications operator, and food delivery platform, offering one-stop access to essential services for living and traveling in Macao.
“Career Training Series: Macao Tourism and Cultural Industry Exploration Tour” Provides Insight into Local Culture
On the same afternoon, the university also organized a local tour for non-local new students, accompanied by staff from OSAA, to explore the surrounding campus facilities and Macao’s cultural heritage sites. This tour not only facilitated interaction among the new students, but also helped them gain a deeper understanding of the community environment, further familiarizing themselves with life and cultural context in Macao. Sponsored by the Macao Foundation, this cultural journey included visits to the Ruins of St. Paul’s, the Macao Museum, and Cinematheque Passion. Through a combination of film screenings and exhibitions, the students gained an in-depth perspective on the development of Macao’s film culture industry which fostered their career development.
In recent years, with several cultural and creative enterprises moving into Rua da Alfândega, the old district has been revitalized with new energy. University staff also joined the students for a stroll along this street filled with creative elements, introducing them to traditional local businesses, characteristic cafés, and cultural and creative spaces along the way. This experience allowed the students to truly feel the urban cultural atmosphere shaped by a blend of old and new, inspiring them to reflect on their future career paths.
Orientation for Master Students Fosters Student-Faculty Exchange
On the 1st of September, the university also held an evening orientation session for the Master’s programme students in the academic year 2025/2026. The event included introductions to campus facilities and resources, attracting over 80 students and faculty members. The gathering was lively and engaging.
The event took place at the USJ Ilha Verde Campus. Dr. Teresa Loong, Vice Rector of USJ, warmly welcomed the new students in her address. She emphasized that students would receive professional guidance and support from professors across various fields and highlighted the university’s abundant resources, mentorship programme, and collaborative environment designed to support student research. She encouraged students to actively engage with professors and make full use of the university’s academic platforms. Dr. Loong urged postgraduate students and researchers to view each other not only as classmates but also as future collaborators and intellectual partners. She stressed that the learning experience at USJ goes beyond earning a degree—it is about becoming researchers who uphold academic integrity, think critically, innovate, and contribute new knowledge.
Induction Week Promotes Campus Cultural Integration
The Induction Week was held on the 3rd and 10th of September to help students transition from high school to university life and familiarize them with campus activities and support services. During the first induction week, students attended an introductory session on campus mental health support services. The counsellor and social worker of USJ shared valuable information on transitioning smoothly into university life and utilizing on-campus mental health resources. These efforts aimed to enhance new students’ adaptability and foster peer support.
The second induction week took place on the 10th of September at Don Bosco Auditorium. Students had the opportunity to freely explore booths organised by USJ student clubs. Through these displays, new students learned about the clubs’ activities, missions, and services, while also engaging in social interactions and attracting new members. In addition to the club booths, the Macao Customs Service held a legal awareness seminar covering topics such as foreign trade laws, regulations related to intellectual property, as well as an introduction to the “Protectors of Integrity” training programme. The event also featured a session for non-local students learning Cantonese, which included interactive activities like situational dialogues, cultural experiences, and scenario practices. These engaging and practical lessons focused on everyday phrases and authentic Cantonese expressions, helping international students adapt to local life more quickly and expand their social circles while experiencing the unique charm of the Cantonese language.The event aims to advance SDGS Goals 3 and 4.
