To build fellowship and celebrate the range of countries represented by Newman University students, the second annual international student mixer was held Sept. 26.
Student Support Specialist Madeline Vardell, Director of Multicultural Engagement and Campus Life Katherine Reynoso and student Travia Smith collaborated to bring the event to life.
The event featured an outdoor campus cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs, chips, cupcakes and a bingo game to learn more about other students’ countries. The social mixer was followed by the Multicultural Leadership Organization’s (MCLO) moon festival, which included the tradition of lighting candle lanterns.
Hosted for international students, by international students
There are 80 F-1 visa students currently enrolled at Newman University from 34 different countries. The F-1 visa allows international students to study full time in the U.S.
Smith, who hails from the Bahamas, understands the difficulties of studying in another language, culture and country.
“We are thousands of miles away, so we want to ensure that all students have a sense of home outside of their country that cares about them and is considerate of their culture,” Smith said. “As much as we want to learn about American culture, we hope (U.S. students) will learn about our cultures, too.”
Student Alberto Romano, a marketing major with a minor in management, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for about two dozen international students during the student mixer.
Romano is from Cancun, Mexico, and transferred from Texas to play soccer at Newman. He stays busy as an assistant for the Newman student life team and understands the importance of helping students meet new people.
“I feel like it can make you feel a little more at home,” he said. “It’s important to become close with different students and maybe learn about someone else’s culture, too.”
Romano advises Newman students: “Don’t be scared to apply your skills in a different language.”
He added, “I’m not the best when I speak in English, but I feel like you meet new people and they not going to judge you, so just don’t be scared to just go for it.”
A second home at Newman
Smith said she is grateful to have so many people at Newman willing to “comfort me and help me get through the homesickness,” which prevents her from isolating herself.
Smith is an involved student at Newman, in part because she felt at home so quickly. She is a member of the Honors Program, a student-athlete on the softball team, Campus Activities Board chair, co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion student committee as well as the MCLO student international ambassador. Even with a full plate of activities, Smith prioritizes service to the community.
Smith studies elementary education because she wants to make a difference in the world. She added, “What better way to start than with the children who are our future?”
Assisting with the international student mixer gave Smith a chance to practice organization and communication skills that she will use as a teacher. It also gave her community-building ideas to acknowledge diverse cultures in her future classroom.
“Sometimes it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone, but that’s not where growing happens,” she said. “I think being willing to take on new roles and get people connected will play a big role in becoming a teacher for me.”
Explore the possibilities as an international Newman student
The international student support service web page is designed to offer concise information about your stay in the United States; Newman faculty and staff are here to support you in any way we can.
