The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) threw a little shindig on Friday at the Memorial Union to celebrate all the smarty-pants international students graduating from Iowa State University. The event was a real hoot, showcasing the eclectic mix of students from all over the globe who had completed their undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs. The ceremony was all about patting these students on the back for their hard work and giving them a little pep talk about their future plans. The ISSO even encouraged graduates to bring along their entourage of family and friends to join in the fun.
Jenna Haffner, the guru of international student engagement, was over the moon about the turnout. She mentioned that a whopping 96 students decided to RSVP for the celebration, making it one of the most packed events since the ISSO crew started throwing these parties back in 2022. Haffner couldn’t help but get a little misty-eyed during the graduation speech, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside that these students wanted to share this moment with the ISSO team.
In a heartwarming message to all the international students at Iowa State, Haffner emphasized that ISSO is like a cozy little nest for them. A place to chill out, connect with folks from all walks of life, and feel a sense of belonging. She mentioned how meeting new students is the highlight of her job, which is pretty sweet.
After the formalities, everyone headed over to the Great Hall for some post-ceremony festivities and snacks. Mohammad Al-Daraghmeh, a brainiac doctoral student from Jordan, spilled the beans about how ISSO had been a lifeline for him. He raved about the friendships, cultural exchanges, and mouth-watering dishes he had experienced through the program. Al-Daraghmeh was gearing up to head back to Jordan to teach at a university, which is pretty darn cool.
Jai-Le Simmons, a cool cat senior studying supply chain management and an international student mentor at ISSO, took the mic to share her two cents. Hailing all the way from The Bahamas, Simmons recounted how ISSO had been like a security blanket for her, helping her find her tribe on campus. She urged other international students to take a leap of faith and embrace the unknown, promising that things would work out in the end.
So, if you’re an international student looking for a support system at Iowa State, ISSO might just be the ticket. Whether you’re craving some home-cooked comfort food, seeking a shoulder to lean on, or just wanting to meet some new faces, ISSO has got your back. Check out their website for more info and get in on the action. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
