The Office of International Education (OIE) hosted their first International Coffee Hour, allowing OIE staff and California State University, Stanislaus international students to intermingle two weeks ago at the Student Services Building.
The coffee hour allowed international students to share their culture with each other. This is the first social meeting held to encourage international students to interact with one another and become involved in campus activities.
“The people here are very friendly and open-minded,” Meshari Alobadi (senior, Business Administration) said. “I feel really happy with this meeting. It is a good meeting to get all of the international students together and to get to know each other.”
Students were welcomed by the Director of International Education, Mahmoud Lamadanie. Along with friendly OIE staff, Lamadanie addressed attendees about the rigorous accomplishments the department is establishing on campus. Many students are transfer students from out-of-state universities. They transferred to Stanislaus with the goal of continuing their higher education in a smaller, more welcoming campus.
“I like this campus,” Kim Pham (senior, Chemistry) said. “It is small, and you get to know your professors very well.”
Lamadanie and the dedicated OIE Staff are focusing on ensuring that the 74 degree-seeking international students receive the full college experience. The department has set activities and classes that prepare international students to be a part of the university’s community. There is a total of 85 international students on campus from 20 countries.
The total enrollment of international students has increased 71 percent since Spring 2014. The new goal is to have 500 international students integrate into CSU Stanislaus within the next three years.
“The whole world is interconnected,” Lamadanie said. “In order to prepare our students for this global economy, they have to become familiar with the global system. Students must also relate with people from different cultures in equal footing.”
Activities and community resources designed to promote an understanding of other cultures and a cross-cultural diversity on campus are provided and recommended to create a united institution.
Lamadanie and the OIE staff continue to strive to help international students contribute to this community by sharing their culture. They also raise awareness of the importance in supporting world peace, mutual respect and understanding of other cultures.