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Clad in a Napoleon hat and eyeliner inspired by Egyptian mythology, Cooper Delemus ‘26 is probably the easiest person to spot in the chaos of airport arrivals as new Lehigh University international students arrive in the United States for the first time.

But beyond the quirky and unique look is a dedicated International Orientation Leader (iOL) who spends late summer nights guiding jet-lagged students to their dorms, carrying their luggage, and ensuring their first moments at Lehigh feel like a beginning, not a barrier.

“Being an International Orientation Leader is great because you help people get adjusted after coming here from another country, sometimes for the first time ever,” said Delemus, a biopharmaceutical engineering major. “But it’s also just fun. You meet a lot of charismatic and interesting people from all over the world. So it’s just as rewarding for me as it is for them.”

Helping Global Transitions

iOLs are student role models who play a vital role in helping incoming international students adjust to life in the United States and on campus. They serve as guides, mentors, and cultural connectors, offering support from the moment students prepare to travel until long after they arrive.

They help ease the transition for international students—socially, culturally, and logistically—by offering practical guidance and emotional reassurance during their earliest days at Lehigh. IOLs help students build confidence, connect with peers from similar backgrounds, and feel a sense of belonging before classes even begin.

Oyu-Erdene Ankhbayar ‘26, a population health major from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, has been an iOL for the last two years. She was inspired to join because IOLs were the first people she encountered when she herself arrived at Lehigh, helping her buy essentials, answer questions, and navigate an entirely unfamiliar country.

“I thought about my experiences with iOLs and thought, ‘Maybe I can be that person to other people,’” Ankhbayar said. “It was a good opportunity to challenge myself in a new way and also to kind of give back, because in the beginning, I received a lot of help from a lot of people here.”

Support Starts Early

Even before international students’ arrival, IOLs begin communicating with them via email about topics such as visas, packing, travel logistics, and what to expect during orientation. These early conversations often lay the groundwork for the relationships that develop in person later on.

As students arrive in the United States, IOLs greet them at the Newark and JFK international airports and accompany them to campus via shuttle buses. They help students collect their luggage, provide snack bags, and assist with check-ins.

Delemus said he signs up for as many airport pickups as possible. Describing them as “chaotic but rewarding,” he explained how he and his team track flight statuses, message students on WhatsApp and WeChat, and carry bags to residence halls, often into the early hours of the morning.

“Most universities don’t offer airport pickups like this, but it’s really helpful to students who arrive here alone or unfamiliar with the language,” Delemus said. “Most of the time, they’ve been on flights for 20 hours. We get them all their keys, take them all to their dorms, and just make them feel welcome.”

Each year, new international students attend an International Student Orientation to learn about the processes, resources, and staff that are unique to Lehigh and studying in the United States. In the days before orientation, IOLs host social events such as lunches, dinners, and movie nights to help students acclimate to campus life.

Orientation and Community

During orientation itself, IOLs lead campus tours, facilitate small-group discussions, and offer advice on everything from class schedules to cultural adjustment. They also assist with shopping trips, vaccine appointments, and general navigation around Lehigh and the local area.

Patricia Goldman, Assistant Director of International Student Engagement, said the role not only benefits incoming students but also helps IOLs themselves grow. “It helps them build friendships, enhance their intercultural communication skills, and gain valuable leadership experience that will benefit them in their academic and professional futures,” she said.

International Orientation Leaders go through several hours of training in the spring and late summer to prepare for the role, Goldman said. They often remain in touch with international students they’ve helped well after orientation is over.

Dayna Ha ‘26, a marketing major from South Korea, first arrived at Lehigh knowing very few people. A fellow IOL from her home country answered her questions about Lehigh, American culture, visa issues, and student life, and they remained in touch long after Ha got settled and student orientation concluded.

“International Orientation Leaders are all about making international students’ lives a little bit easier,” said Ha, who herself has now served as an IOL for three years. “It just helps make you feel like you’re more included in the community.”