Students don't have to travel far to learn about different cultures. International Student Organization promotes an understanding and better relationship among students from different countries.
It strives to create a medium for interactions among students, faculty, staff and the community, according to the organization's preamble.
Any student, faculty or staff at the University can become a member, whether he or she is American or from a different country.
"We have more than 850 students that are from more than 80 countries," said Vokam Barim, sophomore in biomedical sciences and secretary of ISO.
The mission is to help international students get used to this country, Barim said.
"One thing I loved that Dr. Green said last year is that we want international students to learn about this new culture and share their culture with the students here so when they go back, they'll have that experience and use it in their communities," Barim said.
Barim said they work with students to make them feel at home and get acquainted with the campus by having movie nights, athletic tournaments and talent shows.
They also host social hour, a weekly event held every Friday on the third floor of the Student Center where members come out to talk and get to know one another over pizza, drinks and games.
The Recognition Banquet is an annual event where the ISO honors outstanding international students who have excelled in academics and research.
More than 200 students were honored at the last banquet, according to the organization's newsletter.
The organization's biggest event is the annual Peace Dinner, where people from different countries share their food and culture with one another. Its annual talent show will be in the Student Center Ballroom, Nov. 2.
They also co-sponsor events specific to other countries, such as the Chinese Student Organization.
Fengming Huang, graduate student in chemical engineering from China, is a member of the Chinese Student Organization and ISO member.
"It gives us the opportunity to get involved at Auburn," Huang said.
He said he thinks ISO has given him a chance to meet people from different countries and experience their cultures, and when you mix them, it's peaceful.
"I love this organization," Huang said. "ISO helps international students feel at home here and allows us to get to know one another like during the social hours where we can make new friends and tournaments."
Nigerian native Olabiyi Dipeolu, senior in economics and marketing, also enjoys participating in the organization's events around campus because it opens the doors to meeting people from across the world.
"I joined ISO in 2006 and I like the people," Dipeolu said. "You have to really meet people from everywhere. The good thing is that not everyone is international. They're Americans here, too."
Joey Gault, senior in international business and economics, is an American who lived abroad in Puerto Rico.
He said he likes to meet people from different countries and find their likes and dislikes.
"It's nice at the end of the week to talk to someone who has something in common with you," Gault said. "They can't go home for the weekend, they're from far away. The ISO broadens people's understanding of global culture."
The next event is movie night Nov. 12 in the Student Center Ballroom. The featured movie will be Turkey's "The Last Ottoman."
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