With 202 people in attendance, the Center for International Education hosted the largest international orientation Baylor has ever had - and it was the first time any president of the university attended.

"Welcoming Our World," President Starr's International Student Dinner and Mandatory Orientation, was held at the Bobo Spiritual Life Center on Aug. 24.

Students were welcomed by President Ken Starr and his wife, Alice, donning their cowboy hats and bandanas at the country western-themed orientation dinner.

With tex-mex catered by George's and door prizes funded by the Center for International Education, Baylor students from more than 70 countries across the globe were welcomed Texas-style.

"Our main goal was to get the immigration regulations out to students so that they could have the information they need to stay in status," said Alexia English, Center for International Education administrative associate. "That was the overarching goal; I think by and large we met it."

The international student orientation and welcome dinner took on a whole new appearance this fall.

"We really thought out of the box with this one. We've always done them before classes start and it's been an all day event," said Alexine Burke, international student adviser.

"This was the most amazing orientation," English said. "Me personally, I like Bobo because it's relaxed. These students are going to be at Bobo a lot because they're always offering things for international students. I think this was a great way to introduce them."

In his speech, Starr pointed out that although international students have plenty to learn while they study in Waco, he looks forward to what they will teach the Baylor community during their stay.

"I have a lot of hard work to do," Beijing sophomore Gavin Yang said. "I must try my best and observe every rule in Baylor University."

The night was not just an evening full of endless immigration regulations, though; international students were taught about opportunities that exist at Baylor and what it means to be a Baylor Bear.

Kuming, China, junior Ellen Guo said she cared most about the free tutoring services that Baylor offers, as they were not available to her when she studied at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Guo was asked by Dallas junior Rachel Hardgrave to say a prayer for all who attended the dinner. Baylor Chaplain Dr. Burt Burleson said a prayer in English that was followed by the same prayer by a student from Nigeria in his native tongue and Guo in Chinese: God of bread, life, and each other, thank you so much for giving us every day we have right now.

Africa and Asia were not the only continents represented at the dinner.

"My favorite part of the evening was looking out and seeing a sea of faces from so many parts of the planet - the more countries, the better," Burke said.

The dinner was held the night unforeseen rains blew through Waco, but that didn't keep the women of the Center for International Education from braving the thunderstorm to set up for a western-themed night of fun.

"Even with the storms, electrical outage and the water boil, God still worked everything out," said Melanie Smith, international student relations coordinator.

"I loved seeing the smiles of the international students as they felt Baylor hospitality from our students and from President Starr. And I especially appreciated President Starr's personal efforts to meet each and every international student," Smith said. "There was a look on their face that said 'We are so glad we're here at Baylor'."

The night seemed to be a successful welcoming dinner and orientation in the eyes of students and staff alike.

"I thought the sic 'em bear thing was really neat," Guo said. "I love it. I was at freshman orientation and everyone was doing it and wow - it was awesome."

The coordinators at the Center for International Education were pleased to know that international students enjoyed the evening as well.

"Of all the things we could be doing working here at Baylor, we're lucky to work here with international students," Burke said. "We really, really enjoy them. To know that someone can come from such a different culture and life, and they come over here and are able to adjust and integrate - it's a challenge, especially if English isn't their first language."