International Welcome Ambassadors

The International Welcome Ambassadors (IWA's) program brings international and domestic Cal Poly students together to share their culture and develop friendships. International Poly Pals provide a support system to assist new international students with adapting to life in California. In return IWA's get to learn about life in other countries, make many new friends, and create long-lasting relationships with people all around the globe.

All new international students will have the opportunity to sign up for an IWA and will be emailed an introduction to the program before they arrive. IWAs keep in contact with their assigned students and meet them as soon as possible after their arrival on campus or may even offer to pick up their students at the SLO airport.

The International Center and International Club offer various cross-cultural group events and social activities each quarter. Some IWAs may develop long lasting friendships with their international student contacts. However, an IWA is expected to just be an initial point of contact knowing that many international students will connect and make their own friends when they settle in. We encourage international students to attend as many events as possible to get to know all of our IWAs and the general student population.