A cone of ice cream might not be a remedy for homesickness but more than 100 international students at Troy University found it to be a remedy for a hot, August afternoon in the sunny South.

The Troy Tourism Department hosted a tour of downtown Troy Friday afternoon for the new international students that included a tour of the “Celebrating Contemporary Arts in Alabama: The Biennial 2013,” exhibit at the Johnson Center, ice cream treats at Byrd Drugs and savings coupons at several downtown shops.

“The Pike County Chamber of Commerce joined the Tourism Department in welcoming the new international students to Troy,” said Shelia Jackson, Tourism director. “This is an annual event that we hope is beneficial to the new Troy ‘residents.’ We want them to know all that downtown Troy has to offer as far as variety, quality, affordability and convenience.”

Jackson expressed appreciation to the downtown shops that offered discounts from 10 to 25 percent to the new international students.

“We thank Byrd Drugs, Cotton Creek, Hazel’s Gifts and Engraving, The Pink Parlor, Glow, Troy Antiques, Douglas Bros. Jewelers and First Impressions for so graciously welcoming the students to their shops,” Jackson said. “We also want to thank Wiley White and the Johnson Center for the tour of the Center’s latest exhibit. The students were very interested in the artwork and impressed with it.”

Jackson said the city wants the international students to be familiar with the downtown square because of the many events that are held there, including tailgate parties during football season and Brown Bag events.

Several of the students said they were a having hard time adjusting to the hot, sultry weather and others said they were having trouble with the Southern accent.

“And, the taxis! Where are the taxis? I need a taxi,” Donna Wenying Wang of Shanghai, China said laughing.

Several of the students said “just give us time.”

Jackson said the City of Troy is eager to make sure their time spent in Troy is something they will want to write home about.