Involvement and Programming

Making Connections and Getting Involved on Campus

There are many opportunities for international students to get involved outside of the classroom at USF. Student organizations can help you to build relationships with other students who share common hobbies and interests. By attending different on-campus events and programs, you can have fun and learn more about different topics that you might not learn about in the classroom, or further develop skills that can help you in the future! Many student organizations and campus departments also have opportunities where you can expand your leadership skills by being on an executive board or working in a job or internship.

International Student Association (ISA)
International Student Association serves as the voice of international students by promoting cultural education, advocating for the USF international student body, providing a social community, creating social interaction, and developing educational opportunities for cultural enrichment. They are a great organization to start with to get to know and learn from other international students. You can connect with ISA on Instagram at @isa.usfca. ISA’s annual signature event is Culturescape, an event designed to educate the USF community about world cultures, with particular emphasis on the cultures represented at our school. 

Cafe International 
Cafe International is a social community space for international students and friends to gather, hang out, and chat with each other. It is one of many open community spaces and events that the Cultural Centers provide for students of different identities and backgrounds at USF. To find the upcoming dates/times for Cafe International, you can connect with the Cultural Centers on Instagram at @ccusfca.

Conversation Partners
Conversation Partners is a great opportunity to be paired with a highly-proficient English-speaking student. You can practice your English and build a friendship rooted in cross-cultural sharing!

International Education Week
International Education Week is a national celebration of education exchange in November. It’s a fun week of events that stimulate deeper cultural understanding in our own community and foster an inclusive worldview. Past IEW events include Culturescape, Culture and Cuisine from Home, IEW Photo Contest voting, Global Dons Fair. Learn more about International Education Week! 

End of the Year Ceremonies (Cultural Graduations)
The End of the Year Ceremonies are graduation recognition ceremonies that center the cultural identities and backgrounds of USF’s students. There are currently 5 ceremonies held every spring - Indigenous Peoples of Oceania Ceremony (Native Pacific Islander Graduation), Interwoven Ceremony (Asian and Asian American Commencement), Latinx Recognition Ceremony, Lavender Commencement (LGBTQIA+ Graduation), Vizuri Kabisa (Black and African Commencement). As a graduating student, you can celebrate your experiences through a more cultural graduation experience, but even as a non-graduating student, this is an opportunity to volunteer and work on creating a graduation celebration for your community.

Campus Activity Resources:

Student Leadership and Engagement
Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE) supports students' leadership development and promotes student engagement in co-curricular activities. You can apply for their leadership programs and get involved in over 130 student organizations such as the Student Government, Greek Life, Culturally Focused Clubs, Performing Arts, Academic/Honorary/Professional Associations, and more.

Cultural Centers
The Cultural Centers include the Gender & Sexuality Center and the Intercultural Center. Located on UC 4th floor, it is a physical and programming space for students to build community and explore social issues and identity. The Cultural Centers host Cafe International, a weekly event for international students to hang out and chat over snacks. Other signature programs are the Cultural Diversity Immersion workshop series, Lyricist Lounge, End of the Year ceremonies, and Community Meetups. The majority of the Cultural Centers programs are hosted by student interns who learn to create and host programs that support their fellow students. 

Koret Health and Recreation Center
Koret Health and Recreation Center provides recreational sports activities, programs, and services on campus. Students have access to the center’s many facilities (including an indoor swimming pool, weight rooms, exercise machines, and indoor sports courts) through their student ID. Students have the opportunity to play intramural sports on teams with other USF students, staff, and faculty and can also join club sports, where they can build up skills and get to know other students with similar interests. Koret also provides great exercise and social resources on their Instagram, @usfkoret.