Move-in day has arrived for hundreds of new students at the University of Miami. One week before classes are set to start faculty, staff and upper-class students welcomed the newest additions to the ’Canes family at ’Cane Kickoff 2019.
The first day of move-in saw 950 students and more than 1,500 family members fill the Watsco Center as part of ’Cane Kickoff’s new centralized check-in. Move-in continues throughout the week, with the Departments of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement and Housing and Residential Life expected to welcome 2,500 students and 3,300 family members. More than 200 staff members from around the University were on site to assist.
Among the incoming first-year roster was Joao “Johnny” Corbellini of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is majoring in mechanical engineering and is rooming with his childhood friend, Luca Azevedo, a computer engineering major.
“I was so excited to be accepted into UM and start my new journey here in Miami,” said Corbellini. “As soon as I got off the airplane, I went into the AT&T store to have my area code changed to 305. Having that area code is important to me because it’s just like a statement to where I am today. I am proud to be here.”
First-year entrepreneurship major Maya Bar-Mashiah of Hewlett, New York, will be living separately from her twin, who is attending college elsewhere, for the first time. Her dad, Ami, said the move-in process was much different than he expected – thanks to the Cruise Ship Move-In™ process.
He said, “I was so impressed by the entire process today. I thought that it would be chaos. I even brought some muscles with me today because I thought that I would have to be doing a lot of lifting. But I must say that today has gone much smoother than I could have ever imagined.”
After first-year student Kojo Aduhene checked into his room, he enjoyed some quality time with his parents in front of his new home – Stanford Residential College.
“I’m from Ghana but I have a lot of family here in Miami,” said Aduhene, a civil engineering major. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the campus and meeting new people.”
Childhood friends Chase Moed and Chad Friedman had a roomful of family and friends by their sides as they unpacked their belongings in their dorm. The pair are from Boca Raton and went to preschool together.
“I’m looking forward to the educational opportunities here,” Moed said, flanked by his grandmother and many other relatives. He has declared health sciences as his major. “As for orientation, I am looking forward to joining UM Hillel and attending Fresh Fest.”
Orientation activities for new students will take place throughout the week leading up to the first day of classes on Monday. View the full 'Cane Kickoff schedule in browser format or download the Guidebook mobile app.
