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Office of International Services

Small Pack Leaders

About Small Pack Leaders

Are you looking for opportunities to further enhance your leadership skills or develop your ability to communicate cross-culturally?  Do you want to help welcome new internationals to NC State?  The Office of International Services is looking for campus and community volunteers to serve as Small Pack Leaders for our incoming group of international students. 

Small Pack Leaders (SPLs) play a key role in preparing new international students for their move to Raleigh and in orienting them to NC State once they’ve arrived.  SPLs work together to communicate with new international students and answer their basic questions before their arrival.  Once the new students have arrived, SPLs then lead their group through orientation in August.  Serving as an SPL is a unique experience to add to your resume and a great way to meet new people and have fun! 

How Does It Work?

Small Pack Leaders will work as a team to address questions from new students and assist with our in-person orientation on August 14th.

Participation Benefits

  • Develop communication, teamwork, and leadership skills in a fun and informal cross-cultural setting
  • Receive specialized cross-cultural and leadership training
  • Meet people from around the world (new students and fellow volunteers)
  • Enhance your resume with international experience without leaving campus

How Will I Be Helping New Students?

  • By introducing them to campus life, making them aware of available resources and helping them adjust to U.S. culture and the university environment
  • By answering their questions as someone who has experience in Raleigh and has an invaluable perspective to share with them
  • By helping them feel more comfortable coming to Raleigh because they will already know someone before they arrive 

Responsibilities and Expectations

  • Attend a Small Pack Leader training 
  • Begin corresponding with new students through email prior to orientation
  • Maintain regular contact with fellow SPLs and work cooperatively together
  • Respond promptly to OIS staff emails
  • Participate in Orientation Day (August 14, 2024) with your Small Pack and lead Small Pack meetings that day
  • Follow-up with Small Pack members in the first couple weeks of the semester
  • Respect all cultures, religions, values, beliefs represented among your Small Pack members (please refrain from discussing religion or politics).
  • DO NOT promote/sell/advertise/publicize any product or other organization to group members at any time while serving as a Small Pack Leader unless permission is granted from the OIS.

Time Commitment

From selection through orientation approximately 8-10 hours total (depending on the level of group communication during the summer).

  • June: Complete Small Pack Leader training (required)
  • June-July: Email communication with new students (required)
  • August 12: Small Pack Leader meeting at 5:30 p.m. in-person (required)
  • August 14: Orientation Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Talley Student Union (in-person)

(There may be some additional optional training and social activities added to the schedule at a later time.)  

How To Apply

Apply Now.  Please note that orientation will be in person so applicants need to be available and on campus August 14th. The priority deadline is Tuesday, May 28th at 8:00am.

Apply Now

Questions?

Contact Lauren Ball at ldball@ncsu.edu