You could say bienvenido, swagatam, khosh aamadid or hoan nghênh.   

In any case, the USC School of Dentistry welcomes the 32 international students comprising the Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists (ASPID) class of 2008.  Comprised of dental professionals native to 16 countries from around the world, this year’s incoming ASPID class left behind family, friends and professional careers to begin the rigorous two-year program at USCSD. 

In the weeks since orientation, and in the midst of the preclinical phase of the program, members of the ASPID class both acknowledge and enjoy the challenge of acclimating not only to a new culture, but also to a new way of learning. 

Olga Ivette Castro, a native of Antiguo Cuscatlan, a district near the city of San Salvador, admits that there has definitely been a transition period.  She moved to California four years ago hoping to be closer to her family as well as build a better life and career.  She says that language differences are always a factor, but equally as demanding is acquainting herself with the latest in equipment and technology. 

"Back at the Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador, we learned very good basics," she said.  "But there's always an adjusting to a new way of doing things, which is one of the things I like most and which makes it very interesting." 

More than 1,000 miles separates Adeola Adeyemi from her husband and two small children living in Vancouver, Canada.  Adeyemi, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, gave birth to her third child two weeks before orientation.  "My first investment when I arrived here was in long distance calling service and a Web cam," she says. "I call them every night.  That helps a little.  They know mommy is still there."

ASPID Class President Kamal Vasanth hopes that their differences will bring them together.  Regardless of their background, how long they have lived in the U.S. or their familiarity with the English language, the group shares the same experiences and is directed toward the same goal.

"In every country, the education system is a little different, and coming to America itself brings a lot of changes," she says. "Everything is different here, from driving on the other side of the road to shopping at shopping malls. I'm sure we're all going through a lot of changes in our lives.  There is always that period of adjustment."

Class makeup:            44% female, 56% male
Countries of origin:    Armenia, Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Iran, Lithuania, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines and Vietnam.