ISSS hosts Ramen Rendezvous event for International Students

Nothing brings people together like a warm bowl of ramen!

On January 29th, ISSS hosted Ramen Rendezvous at the CGE Lounge, giving international students a chance to meet, exchange stories about Winter Break, and start the spring semester with a warm and friendly event. The program is held at the beginning of each spring semester, providing students with a relaxed environment to connect and build community outside the classroom. 

Students lined up to build their own bowls of ramen with toppings like fried spam, crispy tofu, mung bean sprouts, scrambled eggs, and cilantro. The customizable options allowed everyone to create a bowl that matched their preferences, while also encouraging conversation about their topping favorites.  

Throughout the event, ISSS staff were present to welcome students back for the new term and facilitate conversation and connections between students. 

ISSS’ student staff, called LINKers, also joined the discussions about academics and campus life with students, contributing to the warm and engaging environment of the event. Maurice Rusagara (‘26), an international graduate student, shared his experience: “Ramen Rendezvous gave us a chance to reconnect after winter break, grab a warm bowl of ramen, and enjoy being together again.” Many students expressed excitement for future ISSS programs as well. “We’re looking forward to what’s coming next,” Maurice added. 

Beyond just the meal, the event reflects ISSS’s commitment to promoting community and connection on campus. Events like Ramen Rendezvous create spaces where students can discover shared interests, exchange ideas, and enjoy being part of the global JMU community.