Posted: February 11, 2018, 11:53pm
GSG Executive Board members tabling at the International Resource and Food Fair!
Last week, USC’s Graduate Student Government (GSG) hosted its first International Student Appreciation Week across both the University Park Campus and the Health Sciences Campus! After noticing that most international students were having difficulty finding resources (housing, legal, health, etc.) and other students that share their backgrounds, the Vice President of Advocacy and Vice President of Programming worked together for over a year to show this specific population that the Trojan family is here for them. International students represent nearly 25% of USC’s total student body and approximately 30% of graduate students – consistently one of the highest proportions in the nation! GSG wanted to allot specific time for them and tackle the unique challenges they face studying in another country that may not share the same culture or language. Especially during a time with rapidly shifting federal policies and travel bans, we wanted to show our support.
Through a combination of resource and food fairs, fun activities, film screenings, and meetings with administrators, GSG was able to reach over 500 students. Other groups on campus, including the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of International Services (OIS), Housing Law Clinic (HLC), Office for Wellness and Health Promotion (OWHP), and cultural student organizations, collected student information and shared tips on dealing with a variety of issues that can happen as a USC student. President Max Nikias and Vice Provost for Academic Operations Mark Todd, both of whom were international students when they were graduate students, spoke at the conclusion of the week, stressing the importance of global diversity on campus and addressing the unique needs of this significant part of USC’s student body. After the great success of this year’s inaugural five-day celebration, I’m excited to see International Student Appreciation Week grow in the next couple of years! Thank you to our many on- and off-campus partners!!
Published on February 12th, 2018
Last updated on April 1st, 2021