The International Buddy Program launched the start of its program with an activity-filled afternoon Sunday. The program was put together by the International Culture Club, LSU Ambassadors and Rotaract. The project was originally scheduled for last year but was pushed back after Hurricane Katrina. “We wanted to start [the program] last year,” said Mazeyar Saboori, biological sciences junior and International Rotaract director. “After the hurricane everything fell apart.” The International Buddy Program represents the first program at the University with the goal of mixing international students with other American students, rather than having only international students interact with each other. “This is the first program with American and international students together,” said Iliana Ilieva, information systems and decision sciences junior. The project will have a very similar purpose to the nationally known Big Brother program. “The reason [for the program] was to get American students more culturally aware,” Saboori said. “This is one way for international students to get to know Americans.” The International Buddy Program is something various members want the University to get more involved with. “We hope to expand to an LSU level, not just international,” said Renee Wong of Hong Kong, statistics graduate student and International Student Association vice president. One of the strongest points of the International Buddy Program is the cultural diversity among the members, who are from various countries, ethnic backgrounds and religions. “We have people from everywhere: Iran, India, China, France and more,” Saboori said. During the Sunday event the activities ranged from three-legged races, tug of war contests and games of dodgeball. Jambalaya and sandwiches were served for lunch. The impact of International Buddy Program has been something to which some international students have been looking forward. Jason Jupiter, Trinidad and Tobago native and petroleum engineering junior, said he is excited about the new club. “I am excited, and I enjoy making friends,” Jupiter said. LSU Ambassadors, International Culture Club and Rotaract want to plan more events. “Depending on how this event turns out we may have more,” Saboori said. “[Having another program] is based on what the American and international students want to do together.”
—–Contact Chris Ballay at [email protected]