Knowledge Communities Knowledge Community Networks & Resources

Intercultural Activity Toolkit: FINGO

Activity Information
Recommended Audience	International Students
Length of Time	1 hour
Resources	FINGO sheets, pens & prizes (optional)
Number of Facilitators	1
Source of Activity	Adaptation of people Bingo
Purpose	Get new students to meet each other and review F-1 regulations

Program Development Timeline

I would suggest no more than 1 hour to review materials, adapt game square sheet to a specific institution, and make photocopies. This could be done at least one day in advance to make sure the activity is ready for an orientation session. If one is adapting the activity for J-1 students or to include them, a half hour more might be necessary.

Basic Budget

$20 –50 for prizes (optional). Access to a computer and printer and photocopies are needed.

Advertising/Communication Methods

There is no special advertising for this activity other than that there will be a review of F-1 regulations during the International Student Orientation. Students are informed by mail in a letter and a reminder flyer. We also post announcements for the International Student Orientation around the office and tell students about it when they meet with an international advisor upon arrival on campus.

Brief Evaluation

It is helpful to make sure to tell students that they must know the information asked for in the square where they put their name and should be prepared to give the information at the end of the game. As facilitator, make sure to review the information a day ahead before conducting the activity each time as information may have to be updated and your memory jogged. Use an extra game square sheet as a cheat sheet if necessary.

FINGO: People Bingo with F-1 Regulations

Purpose

To use during orientation for F-1 students(may be adapted to include J-1 students and/or scholars) as an icebreaker. It is also fun and an interactive way to introduce/review the requirements for international students without making light of the importance of federal regulations.

Time needed

At least 1 hour. 15-20 minutes for game and 40 minutes to 1 hour for discussion

Before doing this icebreaker, I usually ask students to introduce themselves to those closest around them. I have them tell their names, where they are from, and their majors for an initial ice breaker just before starting the program.
I announce that we are going to play a game that includes F-1 regulations and that if they do not know important requirements for keeping “in status”, they will by the end of the session.
Pass out the sheets and follow instructions on form.
You can stop after the first person, but I prefer to stop after the first three. We then verify that the first person got 5 responses by calling off the names on the five boxes one by one. After identifying each person, I ask him/her to demonstrate his/her knowledge or give a response. (Small prizes are good to give out for each response). As it can get time consuming, I focus on the boxes with F-1 regulations (or other important regulations or items, such as due date for taxes or enrolling in health insurance) and be sure to give thorough responses to them if the student has not already done so. I give the first person a prize and move on to the second and third, skipping boxes already done.
After the top three, I review the F-1 regulations and other important items and if
there is time, I also include time to discuss responses to some of the others.

I have found this helpful in presenting F-1 regulations because it requires student participation, which makes it more enjoyable for all involved. Students also find it a great way to make initial contact with each other so by the end of the orientation session they are able to approach each other more easily. It’s an adaptation of Bingo and People Bingo that’s more than a simple icebreaker.