A new organization is encouraging students to form lasting relationships with peers from around the world.
Less than a year after its conception, the Council for American/International Student Affairs’ founder Stephanie Delo is confident the organization will be successful.
“It’s being built so strong . it can’t go wrong,” she said.
The council coordinates and promotes monthly events in hopes of connecting American and foreign students. The club has already hosted two events since the beginning of the spring semester.
The first event, a multi-cultural potluck held in the University Student Commons, attracted 75 students, who shared their favorite dishes from their native countries and enjoyed music and dancing from around the world. Members from the VCU Swing Dance Club attended the event to teach students several dance moves.
In late March CAISA hosted a game day at local coffee shop, The Common Cup.
“We had lots of participation,” Delo said. She demonstrated the traditional dance of the Philippines, “tinikling.” Students also learned how to dance cha-cha and salsa.
VCU has more than 1,200 international students from 99 different countries. The Office of International Education and CAISA ensure that there are opportunities for cultural exchange.
William “Wick” Stansbury, education support specialist at the international support services department, oversees a conversation partner program. It pairs American volunteers with international students, and has seen a large increase in participation in the past year. Partners meet to talk and interact.
Last year when Delo’s conversation partner and international friends expressed an interest to meet other Americans, she began to look around.
“I couldn’t find anything on campus,” she said.
Delo collaborated with the OIE to create her own venue for American and international student relations. An interest meeting held in February had such a positive turnout that the members decided to begin organizing events immediately.
Both Delo and Stansbury have traveled abroad and understand the challenges international students face.
“I knew what it was like to be in reverse,” Delo said.
International students have a strong desire to meet Americans and learn the culture, Stansbury said.
“Students have wanted to build relationships with Americans. They have been really hungry,” he said. “People were turning in their applications at the interest meeting,” Delo said.
CAISA plans to march in the Intercultural Festival parade Saturday, April 14. CAISA and the OIE encourage students to come dressed in traditional clothing from a partner’s country.