NYU OGS

🎲✨ Global Buddies International Game Night!

Our Global Buddies sure know how to have fun! We kicked back, laughed, and got competitive over all kinds of games, from UNO, Jenga, and Pictionary to fast-paced word games and strategy challenges. It was the perfect mix of friendly chaos, laughter, and teamwork! 💜

We also had lively trivia games, where each group got competitive answering fun questions like guessing how many slices of pizza the average American eats or identifying a country based only on a picture! 🍕🌍 Beyond the games, the night was all about connecting across cultures, learning how different people play, communicate, and have fun. Whether it was cheering on teammates, sharing stories between rounds, or learning how to say “your turn” in another language, everyone walked away with new friends and great memories. 🎉

Of course, no game night is complete without snacks and good vibes and we had plenty of both! 🍕🥤

A huge thank-you to everyone who came ready to play, laugh, and connect. Stay tuned for more Global Buddies events coming soon, we can’t wait to see you again for more fun and friendship! 💫

💜🌍 Global Buddies Kick-Off 2025!

What an incredible afternoon with our Global Buddies at this semester’s Kick-Off event! Held at Wasserman, the space was filled with laughter, conversation, and creativity as students from around the world gathered to connect and learn from one another.

We started the afternoon by meeting our amazing staff and mentors and introducing the Global Buddies program, a community designed to help students build friendships across cultures, share experiences, and grow together in a supportive space. 🌏

Things got creative (and competitive!) during our Playdough Pictionary challenge, where each group sculpted clues and raced to guess them first, some of the creations were truly impressive! 🎨 Afterwards, the Listening Lab gave everyone a chance to slow down, reflect, and engage in deeper cross-cultural conversations. Students discussed communication styles, cultural norms, and how we can all better understand each other’s backgrounds and perspectives. 🗣️✨

To wrap up, we shared a look ahead at upcoming Global Buddies events, from fun social gatherings to meaningful discussions, and encouraged everyone to keep the conversations going beyond the event.

A huge thank you to all our participants for bringing such openness, energy, and curiosity to the room. You made this Kick-Off a warm, welcoming success! 💫

👻✨ Ghost Stories Around the World👻👻

There’s no such thing as too early to celebrate Halloween! We kicked things off with an International Conversation & Connection session all about ghost stories. From chilling folklore to funny family tales, students shared how supernatural beliefs from their cultures shaped behaviors, traditions, and ways of coping with the unknown.

The conversation was spooky, thoughtful, and full of laughter, and yes, the delicious treats from Paris Baguette made it even sweeter. 🥐🍰

Big thanks to everyone who joined and brought their stories to life. Our global ghostly gathering proves that the supernatural truly connects us across cultures. 👻🎃🕯️

✨ Mark your calendars. Our next International Conversation and Connection session is coming this November, and the theme will be friendship across cultures. We cannot wait to see you there.

🎡🌭☀️ What a day at Coney Island! As part of our Discover NY: 5 Boroughs series, OGS took the F train from the StudentLink Center straight to Brooklyn’s iconic beachfront and the adventure did not disappoint!

Some students braved the rides (shoutout to the Cyclone crew 🎢), others enjoyed the world-famous Nathan’s hot dogs 🌭, while many relaxed on the beach playing board games, chatting, and soaking up the sun. Whether it was laughter over funnel cakes or bonding on the boardwalk, it was all about making memories together. 💜

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, we loved exploring this NYC classic with you! 🗽✨

🛒✨ From Trader Joe’s snacks to Sahadi’s specialties, our Brooklyn Grocery Store Hopping trip had it all! 🙌

New international students joined OGS Peer Mentors for a morning adventure exploring the best spots around the Brooklyn campus for daily essentials and budget-friendly finds:

🥕 Trader Joe’s – student favorite for affordable and fun groceries
🥙 Dekalb Market Hall – local eats and hidden gems
🎯 Target – everything from snacks to storage bins
💊 CVS – your go-to for quick essentials
🌿 Sahadi’s – Brooklyn classic for Middle Eastern goods

More than just shopping tips, it was about making friends, exploring the neighborhood, and learning where to score the best deals while settling into life in NYC💜

Big thanks to all the students who joined and made the morning so lively, you turned errands into an adventure! 🎉

🚌✨ From learning the NYC bus system to filling up those iconic blue bags, our IKEA trip on August 15 was the perfect mix of adventure and fun! 💜

New international students met up with OGS Peer Mentors at 6 Metrotech and rode the B57/B61 bus together because navigating NYC is always easier (and way more fun) with friends. Once we arrived at IKEA Brooklyn, students picked out home essentials, swapped shopping tips, and shared laughs while turning an ordinary errand into a community-building day🏠💫

A huge thank you to our Peer Mentors for leading the way and to all the participants for bringing your energy, curiosity, and warmth—you made this trip unforgettable! 💜

Here’s to cozy apartments, smooth bus rides, and the start of an amazing semester in NYC! 🌎🎉

🎓✨ The 2025 Graduate International Student Transition Program (ISTP) brought together 37 incredible new international graduate students for two days of learning, connection, and NYC adventures! 🌎💜

Over two days, students explored our three ISTP goals:
💡 Awareness & Self-Development: reflecting on personal values, goals, and identities.
🤝 Interpersonal Relationships: building meaningful connections and communication skills.
🛠️ Practical Skills: preparing for academic, professional, and NYC life.

Day 1 kicked off with a bagel breakfast, introductions, and a marshmallow-spaghetti tower challenge. Students got moving with a rock-paper-scissors icebreaker before meeting distinguished faculty: Sherif Barsoum, Carolyn Kissane, and Manny Patole. They explored campus resources at the Mini Resource Fair, tuned in to the inspiring Listening Lab, and ended the day with breathtaking views from Top of the Rock🗽

Day 2 started with a Brooklyn and Washington Square campus tour guided by our amazing Peer Mentors, followed by lunch and a “snowball” networking activity. Students engaged in a Graduate Student Panel led by Peer Mentors, learned about graduate employment opportunities with Sarah Goetz, gained cross-cultural communication insights from Thomas Sirinides, and wrapped up with a Wasserman Graduate-Focused Session with Kelly Graham. The program ended with a celebratory happy hour at Amity Hall🍹🎉

A huge thank you to NYU Wasserman Center, NYU Graduate Student Life, our peer mentors, and most importantly, our amazing participants for making ISTP 2025 such a success! 💜🎉

💃✨ Summer is the perfect time to learn how to mambo!
Last week, our OGS team and international students stepped back in time at the Social Mambo Dance Party at Lincoln Center Plaza — led by the incredible Sekou McMiller.
Inspired by the golden era of New York’s legendary Palladium Ballroom, we learned the moves, heard the stories, and danced the night away to live music with legends of the mambo community. 🕺🎶
It was a night full of rhythm, history, and joy. Thank you to everyone who joined us on the dance floor! 💛🌆

Beach Day in Long Beach 🌊☀️

Sun, sand, and smiles with our OGS fam! This summer, we took a sunny escape to Long Beach with an amazing crew of international students.

From the train ride out of Penn Station to toes in the sand, it was a day full of laughter, stories, and ocean breezes. Some soaked up the sun, others dove into beach reads, swam in the waves, or searched for the prettiest shells.

Grateful for the shared snacks, local bites, and sweet moments that sparked new friendships and gave us all a breather from the city buzz.

🌟 Global Buddies in Review: A Semester of Connection 🌟

Global Buddies is where international and domestic students come together to transform strangers into friends and cultures into shared stories💬✨ Through laughter, learning, and plenty of fun — from Game Nights to Craft Nights — these students broke barriers, challenged assumptions, and created memories that will last far beyond the program.

Swipe through the highlights to feel the joy! Want to join the fun next semester? Keep an eye on our newsletter and social media for Fall 2025 updates!

Bringing Global Stories to Life at International Conversation & Connection ✨🌍

This semester, our International Conversation & Connection series sparked unforgettable cultural exchange! From discussing names and traditions to exploring cultural celebrations, education systems, and mental health, students came together to share experiences and broaden their global perspectives. 🌎💬

To top it off, we savored delicious bites from Brazil, China, and Southeast Asia — making each session a feast for both the mind and the taste buds! 🍽️🥟🍛

We’ll be back this Fall semester — stay tuned here and through our newsletter for updates. You won’t want to miss being part of this incredible journey! 👀📅✨

❤️