Although you must have heard this numerous times during the past couple of weeks, I would like to congratulate you on your tremendous achievement! This year the competition among Harvard applicants was greater than ever before and you should be really proud for making it thus far!

I can well recall how I felt two years ago when I was in your position: the mixture of excitement and anxiety, and, after all, the nervous anticipation of what life would be like at Harvard and in the United States. The decision I had to make at this time was probably the most meaningful decision of my life and--in all honesty--the best one I have made so far. Of course, I have also had difficult times at Harvard, but, overall, the good ones have clearly exceeded the bad ones.

As the Director of International Freshman Affairs for the Class of 2015 and a board member of the Woodbridge International Society, the international student group at Harvard College, I would like to assure you that there are many students here at Harvard that have previously been in your position and that are very eager to assist you in making your college decisions. Thus, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at harvardfip@gmail.com or any of the other FIP leaders you will find on this website.

We are looking forward to meeting you this fall and would like to invite you to join us at the 2011 Freshman International pre-orientation Program. FIP is a fun introduction to life at Harvard and in the United States for internationals and Americans who have lived abroad. We will help you with important logistics such as getting a bank account or a cell phone as well as with your transition to life at college in a foreign country. The informative sessions with upperclassmen and administrators about how to succeed at Harvard will leave you ahead of the pack once the other students will arrive and your questions concerning classes and extracurriculars will seem less troubling to you. But, most importantly, we will have a lot of fun together! Each year, FIP leaders and FIPpers explore Boston and Cambridge together during the day, and party it up during the nights! The friendships you will form this way are going to last for the rest of your time at Harvard and form the foundation of your college experience.

I know that you are facing some tough decisions right now but we will be here to help you! I hope that you are having a great summer and I look forward to meeting you all in August at this year's FIP.

Last but not least: Welcome to the Woodbridge family!!!