This weekend, Sias International University welcomed the largest freshman class in its nine-year history - the class of 2011. The freshmen started arriving early on Saturday morning and were still arriving on Sunday evening. Nearly a quarter of the freshmen are enrolled in the School of Foreign Languages. "I'm so very glad to see so many students," said the Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, and Head of the English Language Department, William Wang. "We have 1,000 freshmen in our school. I'm excited, but there is also a little pressure because we have a lot to prepare for." Sias was well-prepared for the influx of students on Saturday.

Students and family members were greeted by smiling students wearing brightly colored shirts and carrying signs to give directions. The freshmen were escorted to various registration points for each academic school and department. They were then ushered to their dormitories. "I'm both nervous and excited," said Yang Liu, a student from Nanyang. "There are so many people!" Yang, who will major in Japanese, heard about Sias from a friend. "I looked at it on the internet and saw many beautiful buildings," she said. "And now I can see them in person."

Despite a large number of freshmen and returning students, everyone managed well with the help of the Sias volunteers in their yellow t-shirts. "My first day was pretty unforgettable," said Wang Ning, a senior Business English major. "I'm always ready to help because when I first came here someone helped me. Now, I'm familiar with the place, so I can help." Smile Rong, a junior English major who was also out helping students, added, "I remember my first day. It was very busy here in the [Central Fountain] Square and there were lots of people. It was so hot, and I was very tired. I'm very happy to help."