As the first group waited to load oversize suitcases onto the bus, the students chatted with volunteers about their home towns, academic interests and how they chose U-Va.
Tianyun Xue, 18, sounded like she was reading from an admissions brochure as she gushed about a university she had never seen.
“I think it’s a great value school,” said Xue, who is from Suzhou, a major city in the Jiangsu province about an hour west of Shanghai. Her parents didn’t have the same opportunities at her age, she said, so this journey “is like realizing the American dream, in some sense.”
Xue’s bags contained the usual trappings of a new student, plus gifts of chopsticks and Chinese silk for her roommates and host family.
As the last students boarded, Darci Spuck, U-Va.’s assistant director for regional engagement overseas, told them: “There are lots of new friends waiting for you in Charlottesville.”
Many were chatting like old friends. Although there was enough room for each passenger to stretch out on a pair of seats, the students sat bunched together.
At the front, Wu, 22, a fourth-year student, resembled a stand-up comedian as he talked about joining a glee club and touching ancient artifacts during an archaeology class. He also answered some frequently asked questions.
Where do you store your stuff during summer breaks? Chances are you will make friends who will let you stash it in their apartment. “It always works out,” he said.
Can you stay on campus during winter break when most students leave? Yup.
Are there lots of tornados in Virginia? “I have never seen a tornado,” Wu said.
Can you get a 3G smartphone and not sign up for a data plan? (Laughter.) No.
Is there a farm on campus? No, but there’s an organic garden.
Do you have to pick a major right away? No. Unlike in China, you have until the end of your sophomore year to decide. (Wu has a double major in commerce and music.)
Where’s the cheapest place to buy books? Online.
Can you get a part-time job? Yes, but only through the school. “Any job that you get outside of the university is illegal,” he said. “It’s very serious.”
Wu tutored them on quirks in U-Va. rhetoric — such as saying “first-year” instead of “freshman” and “grounds” instead of “campus.”
During the drive, conversations flowed from quiet, timid English to loud, bubbly Chinese. A non-Chinese student sat alone.
“I wish there were more Koreans,” said Eunwon “Ashley” Sung, 21, from Seoul, who is transferring from Northwest Missouri State to study economics or commerce.
This moment sums up a worry of administrators: As more Chinese students enroll and build their own communities, they might miss out on key parts of the American college experience.
“I have to come behind them and say: ‘Quit just speaking Chinese. You didn’t come all this way to clump together,’ ” Muth said.
About six miles outside of town, Wu started to point out landmarks: the Target that lies farther out than the bus runs. The Wal-Mart that’s closer.
“That’s IHOP. They’re open 24 hours,” he said, pointing to the right. On the left: “Taste of China. . . . They say they have the best Chinese food in town.”
Over there was a mall, where Wu said students can buy clothing or gifts. And a Staples, where they could buy school supplies, and a music store, and a Raising Cane’s fried chicken joint.
“And on the right, Chinese all-time favorite: KFC,” he said.
Finally, they reached the grounds. The bright blue sky was dusted with fluffy clouds. They passed tennis courts and gardens and saw the marching band practicing on an athletic field.
The bus pulled into the parking lot of Alumni Hall, where a welcoming crew awaited.
“Okay, guys,” Wu said. “We have arrived.”
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