From friendship to advocacy: International students create new group

December 15, 2023

What started as a group of friends from all over the world is now an official Cornell College student organization.

Three students standing in front of the Thomas Commons on the Cornell College campus.
Pictured left to right: ISA President Michael Ossai, ISA Event Coordinator Sam Tokpa, and ISA co-founder Mahmoud “Moodi” Elawady. Photo by Smriti Neupane.

The International Student Association (ISA), is on a mission to share cultures with the campus community and provide a home away from home for international students.

“The thing that really makes this different is that we literally became friends from the first week we came here until now,” said Mahmoud “Moodi” Elawady, who is an ISA co-founder from Egypt. “We stayed together until today, so we made it an association. We always work as a ‘we’ and not an ‘I.’”

ISA President Michael Ossai, from Nigeria, says he knew the structure and consistency of a student organization would help ensure the relationships they built would not dissolve for any reason. 

“Besides just getting together for fun, we are getting together to put solid stuff on the ground and move and shake and do some cool stuff like the Culture Show and of course create a safe space, a family, and a community for international students,” Ossai said.

Henry Morray standing on stage with a microphone.
Henry Morray ’23 hosting the 2023 Culture Show. Photo by Smriti Neupane.

Ossai said he also wanted the group to have a stronger voice and more representation in discussions about policies revolving around international students with administrators.  

“There are unique struggles and challenges that international students have coming into the U.S. and then coming to a place like Iowa. Where–as beautiful as it is–there are challenges such as transportation and opportunities to work and take care of yourself,” Ossai said.

Junior Sam Tokpa, one of ISA’s event coordinators, is from Cedar Rapids. He enjoys being part of the organization to share his culture and the story of how he’s a first-generation American whose parents came to the U.S. from Africa. 

“It’s amazing that I get to spread my parents’ stories, my ancestry,” Tokpa said. “People ask a lot of questions about my background. People want to deep dive into my background and discuss the cultures and clothes we wear.” 

Three students filling their plate and a table filled with a variety of foods.
Students gather to try foods from around the world at ISA’s potluck during the fall of 2023. Photo by Smriti Neupane.

The group has a member speak at their meeting each block about their home and culture. Then, twice a year, ISA organizes an international potluck to share new foods from across the world with anyone who wants to attend. Plus, they’re always planning trips off campus to explore Iowa, like ice skating at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville. 

“People think Iowa is just corn and roads–and that’s it,” Tokpa said. “I see what Iowa really is, and I want them to see what Iowa really is.” 

And they’re already working on the spring Culture Show, which has been a Cornell staple for years. Last year, ISA took over the event and worked hard to make it special for the entire campus.

This year, they’ve got even bigger plans. But they’re not sharing any secrets just yet.

“We will make something different this year. I’m not going to spoil it, so stay tuned,” Elawady said.

If you want to learn more about ISA or get involved, email the group at internationalstudents@cornellcollege.edu or find them on Instagram at @international_cornell.