Morgantown natives know West Virginia is”almost heaven.”But did you know that the Mountain State is also a popular destination for hundreds of international students?

This fall, West Virginia University welcomed a record number of international students1,380making it a truly global campus.

Karen Bird, who works as a program adviser, says international students are welcomed for the different perspectives and diversity they bring to the University. The Office of International Students&Scholars provides an important link by helping students from other countries meet the challenge of living in a new culture and coping with a new language.

An extension of OISS , the International Student Association, or ISO , offers international students numerous opportunities to meet new people, exchange ideas about the world and just have fun. ISO has a full slate of events planned this fall:

• Rich’s Fright Farm.

Take a trip to Rich’s Fright Farm Tuesday night (Oct. 21) if you dare. WVU students can purchase tickets at a special discounted price of $7. A student ticket includes entrance to the Haunted Mansion and the hay ride. For questions, e-mail Karen Bird at karen.bird@mail.wvu.edu .

• International Tea. Mark your calendar and bring your friends to the International Tea from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, in E. Moore Hall. Hosted by the Iranian Student Association, the tea is free and open to WVU students.

• Halloween Party. There will be plenty of tricks and treats at the Halloween party from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Percival Hall on the Evansdale Campus. Music and refreshments will be provided along with prizes awarded for the best costumes. A MountainLine bus will provide free, return transportation for students with student ID at 11 p.m. The bus will be making stops at the Mountainlair, Towers, Ruby Memorial Hospital, Valley View and Stuart Street.

• Diwali Festival of Lights. The Indian Students Association will hold the Diwali Festival of Lights at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Health Sciences Center. Student tickets may be purchased for $10 ($15 for the general public), which includes food and entertainment. E-mail ISA President Ramkumar Geeta at ramkumar_k_g@hotmail.com .
• International Festival. Learn about different traditions and customs at the International Festival from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. The event is sponsored by ISO and is free to the public. Students from more than 30 countriesincluding Vietnam and Cubawill be on hand to share their cultures. There will be a fashion show and various demonstrations throughout the day such as Irish step dancing and Japanese Kendo (fencing).