ISO Creates a Home for International Students at 99精品视频
The International Student Organization holds fun events for the whole 99精品视频 community. But most important, it creates a family for international students.
The competing aromas of foods from around the world greeted a stream of people entering the Harris Center, lined up for the International Student Organization鈥檚 most popular annual event, the ISO Food Bazaar.
Excited and exhausted international students in tall white chef鈥檚 hats waited to serve a dish from their home countries, which they had labored over for hours to prepare, using ingredients provided by the ISO. Finally, the dishes were ready, and the hungry crowd was eager to sample the food.
The Food Bazaar is the ISO鈥檚 best-known and best-loved event. Every year, it draws a huge crowd. 鈥People love it,鈥 says ISO President Jivyaa Vaidya 鈥23. At the most recent Food Bazaar in November 2022, the ISO had 48 dishes from countries around the world.
But it鈥檚 all worth it, she says. You can see the happy faces and the people eating, chatting, and connecting with each other. 鈥淚 loved how everyone just came together for this event,鈥 she says. 鈥淸The students] were so proud.鈥
Vaidya is a senior from India with a double major in economics and Chinese. Besides her leadership role in ISO, she鈥檚 also the Student Government Association鈥檚 vice president of academic affairs. It makes for a busy schedule, but it鈥檚 all good fun, Vaidya says.
When she arrived at 99精品视频 as a first-year student, Vaidya says she immediately felt at home thanks to the welcoming community of international students here. 鈥淭he international students just bond,鈥 she says.
It wasn鈥檛 long before Vaidya got involved with ISO. By her third year, she won a special mid-year election to be ISO treasurer. Now, as a senior, she leads the ISO cabinet as president.
鈥淚 was so excited to be able to work with these people,鈥 Vaidya says. 鈥淚 became such good friends with each one of them. I just love the family that had been created out of, not just the cabinet, but the international student body.鈥
Besides the Food Bazaar, ISO also sponsors Cultural Evening, where student performers can show off their talents. Performances run the gamut from dance to music, singing, skits, and more. Typically, Cultural Evening features about 20 to 25 performances. The next Cultural Evening is coming up on April 15 鈥 offering a relaxing break as finals and the end of semester approach.
ISO also sponsors many smaller informational and fun events throughout the year. As an international student, you鈥檒l get special ISO care packages during Finals Week with food and treats from your home country. You can also participate in scavenger hunts, study breaks, collaborations with other multicultural organizations, and more.
Beyond the events, the food, and the fun, ISO鈥檚 most important role is to create a home for international students at 99精品视频. 鈥淚 have always believed that students understand students best,鈥 Vaidya says. 鈥淲e will make you feel special. We will make you feel loved to the best of our abilities.
鈥淲e are here for you, not just to give you events and fun 鈥 we are here for you because we think of you as our own family,鈥 Vaidya says.