The Delta, Vol.4, No.4 in December 8, 1998 (College Paper)
How can international students get used to a new environment where they normally don't have any acquaintances? International Students Organization (ISO) was founded on the basis of helping them adopt U.S. culture, overcome culture shock, and offering them some fun at the same time.
According to the ISO president, Erik Barbon, 21 international and American students have signed up. According to Barbon, ISO allows for "international students to gather and benefit for themselves."
The only qualifications to sign up are to attend meetings, which are held on Tuesday evening at 7:30, and to have international background. It doesn't set limits that members must be from outside the U.S.
"All students (includeing Americans) have international background," Barbon said.
ISO offers members various opportunities. For example, they visited St. Louis last year, and also took a trip to Worlds of Fun. Already this year they have had a table tennis tounament. Furthermore, they are planning a Christmas party, an international culture show, and a movie night, trip to Kansas City, and a can recycling program. Also, reasonable health insurance and calling card information are available.
Now, ISO is collecting clothes for those in Central American countries who have been hit by the formidable hurricane, Mitch. ISO, in conjunction with the Baptist Church, has proposed a motion to donate clothes to those who have lost their property due to the disaster. Many people have either donated clothes or helped with the packing on November 28.
ISO is not a big organization, but it has a stable foundation and is steadily growing.
"Once ISO grows, I want all organizations to get together," Barbon said. "You can make the school grow." ISO was originally set up to help international students, but now it seems to have further prospects while in the meantime keeping its initial idea. It is time to join in and feel like one of the global members.
