By Jessica Mitchell
The college is a melting pot of different races, ethnicities and heritages. With the campus academically housing over 20,000 students, many of them international, the college has a bevy of different clubs and organizations aiding to their differences.
Some of the clubs that the college has to offer are American Indian Studies Association, Chinese Student Association, Ethiopian Student Organization, International Club, Mixed Ethnicities and Heritage Alliances, Turkish Students Association and many more.
One of the clubs that international and foreign exchange students tend to flock to is the International Club. The club is presented to the students during orientation to provide a stable place for them to meet friends and become part of the campus, said Barbara Williams, administrative assistant, International Education.
“It’s a great way for international students to start getting involved and learn about how to get more involved on campus,” Williams said. “Our leadership teams try to help them feel welcome. Generally a lot of new students come to that first meeting just to see what’s up.”
International Club is not exclusive to only international students. The club also has a number of American students who are interested in other cultures and meeting people of other cultures, or are hoping to study abroad in the future.
“We have a lot of American students who are members of the club,” Williams said. “So, that’s a really nice advantage for the international students coming and it’s also a great way for international students to learn about our culture, to start making connections and making friends.”
Another club geared towards international students is Amigos sin Fronteras, “Friends Without Borders.” “Amigos” is a club aimed toward people of a Spanish-speaking culture whether they are foreign or born and raised in America. “Amigos” meets twice a month and the members participate in activities ranging from music to games to food.
“It’s for all levels of Spanish, even from very beginners through native speakers,” said Lynne Overesch-Maister, foreign language professor. “We always hope native speakers will come. A lot of times they don’t, but we hope they will because we view this as a way for our foreign language students, Spanish students in particular, to be able to practice in an informal setting. Learn slang, expressions, daily student stuff that we don’t have the time to teach in the classroom.”
Another club aiding towards the Spanish-speaking and Latino community is LUNA – Latinos United Now and Always. LUNA was formed by Latino students in hopes of getting their culture out there and known on campus.
“It’s focused on both promoting Latino culture on campus, awareness of Latino culture, as well as raising issues that are affecting Latino students on campus and perhaps international students in general or students from other countries,” said Danny Alexander, English professor and co-adviser to LUNA. “Latino students have always been a mix. A lot of the core members have been people who grew up in Johnson County.”
LUNA has strayed away from focusing on issues and has started focusing more on student needs and cultural awareness. The club has also turned into a tight-knit group, said Alexander.
“I think it’s been a great home,” he said. “When it’s been running most actively, people come just because they want to be around each other. People in LUNA have a lot of fun.”
To find out more information on these clubs and organizations contact Barbara Williams, Lynne Overesch-Maister or Danny Alexander. For more information on other clubs and organizations contact Mindy Kinnaman, manager, Student Life/Leadership Development. The list of all clubs and organizations are on the college’s main website under Center for Student Involvement. [http://www.jccc.edu/student-involvement/index.html]
Contact Jessica Mitchell, features editor, at jmitch54@jccc.edu.