Metro was founded in 1977 by a group of foreign student advisers who realized the importance of providing international students with a bridge between their isolated campus environments and the broader New York community. Out of their early efforts grew a series of orientation programs and publications designed to help international students cope with the unique demands of living and studying in New York City. While Metro's programs continue to familiarize visiting students with New York's complex cultural, political, and ethnic structures, Metro also engages international students in educating Americans about global issues and cultural diversity.