International Support Services at KU

Last month, on May 12, a group of our international students, accompanied by a faculty advisor from the School of Music, attended the 54th Annual Good Neighbor Award Luncheon in Kansas City.
 
The Luncheon features the presentation of the Truman Good Neighbor Award to a prominent individual who is recognized for exemplary service to their community and the nation. This year’s Guest of Honor was Wynton Marsalis, a world-renowned trumpeter, composer, bandleader, educator, advocate for arts education and a nine-time Grammy Award winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient for music.
 
 
It’s such an honor for ISS Office to receive an invitation every year to attend the event along with international students recognized for their strong leadership and campus involvement as guests. It has always been a great opportunity for our international students to connect with peers from other institutions, meet the Guest of Honor, and take individual commemorative photographs with the Good Neighbor Award Honoree, along with a group photo to mark the occasion.
 
 
We are proud of our students for representing KU and the international student community at this prestigious event. 🙌🫶🏻 ❤️💙

Who is getting excited for the World Cup? Kansas City is one of 16 host cities across the USA, Mexico, and Canada and will be the home base camp for England, the Netherlands, and defending champion, Argentina! Our very own Lawrence will also play host to Team Algeria!

Downtown Lawrence will be hosting a variety of street parties ahead of Team USA and Team Algeria games. Kansas City will also be hosting an exciting Fan Festival throughout June and July. If you’ll be in town this summer, be sure to check out the events and join in on the fun. Games start next week! Website links with more information are in our bio. 🌎⚽️

We value your feedback! We invite you to participate in a brief survey about ISS programming and events this past year. The survey should take you less than five minutes to complete and results are for staff only. Your input will help us as we plan for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. Visit the link in our bio and complete the survey by June 5th for a chance to win a giveaway. Thank you for your time!

Hey Jays! ⚠️ We are expecting severe weather today. We may see strong storms later today, bringing heavy rain, lightning, and possible tornado warnings. Stay weather‑aware, keep alerts turned on, and know where to go if a warning is issued. Your safety comes first — so be prepared and look out for each other. 🌩️💛 Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Dropping a class? If you are an F-1 or J-1 student (sponsored by KU) and dropping a class would take you below full-time enrollment, you need permission from ISS.

The last day to drop a class is Monday, April 20th. Request and obtain ISS permission by this Friday, April 17 to ensure your request is approved by the final drop deadline.

Questions? Email [email protected].

We’re so happy to share some beautiful photos from our memorable spring break trip to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Thank you to everyone who joined us on the trip, and a special thanks to those who shared their photos with us. 🤍✨ ❤️💙

Hey Jayhawks: For the final Atlas event of Spring 2026, ISS is collaborating with CREES and the Turkish Student Association to feature Türkiye on April 7 at 4 pm in the 3 West Reading Room at Watson Library.

The event will include a short presentation, a Turkish folk music performance, a Turkish line dance lesson, as well as Turkish food and drinks. We also have good time for socializing.

Join us to learn things about Türkiye that you might not easily find online, meet new people, or just spend time with friends.

WE’RE HIRING!! Interested in facilitating orientation activities? Join the International Student Orientation team to serve as an Orientation Leader for Fall 2026 International Student Orientation.

We are looking for:
🎓 Completion of at least one semester study at KU
🏠 Involvement in Campus and community organizations
🌎 Experience studying, working, and living abroad
🗣️ Strong English communication skills
👥 Experience facilitating group activities, public speaking, and presenting in an academic setting

Think you’re a good fit? We’d love to receive your application!

✨Apply now using the link in our bio!

RockChalk 💙❤️

Are you thinking about Employment after graduation? Join FAQ session and learn about an Optional Practical Training (OPT) application process for F-1 students. This session will be held online in Friday, March 13th at 2pm.

Please submit your questions in advance using the link in our bio. Also to register for the session hit the link in our bio.

RockChalk 💙

Ba Tojikiston, hamaaton khush omaded! Welcome to Tajikistan, everyone! At today’s Atlas Series event, we were guided through Takjikistan, where 93% of the land is mountains, hospitality is a way of life, and community is at the heart of everyday moments.

Attendees learned about:

Multilingual life in Tajikistan – where many people grow up speaking Tajik, Russian, and English.

Mountain culture – villages nestled in high altitudes that shape a strong, patient, and close-knit people.

Hospitality and community – from evening village gatherings to never arriving empty-handed and treating bread with deep respect.

Traditional foods – including plov (a beloved dish for celebrations) and shared plates eaten by hand.

Music, dance, and clothing – emotional, story-filled music; energetic wedding dances; and colorful regional dresses that express identity and tradition.

Natural and cultural landmarks – soaring Pamir Mountains, icy lakes, hot springs, the “roof of the world” highways, major hydropower projects, cotton fields, and one of the largest mosques in Central Asia.

The event featured traditional music and dance, a quiz with Tajik souvenirs as prizes, a fashion showcase of regional attire, and, of course, homemade Tajik food for everyone to enjoy.

International Support Services at KU hosts the Atlas Series on the first Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. in 3 West Reading Room, Watson Library, with each event featuring a different country represented here at KU. Next up, Turkey, on April 7. The Atlas Series is hosted during the fall and spring semesters and is open to all.