On March 7, Cal State Fullerton hosted its first International Student-Alumni Mixer. Held at the university’s George G. Golleher Alumni House, the event brought together international students, alumni and cultural clubs for an evening of good food and inspiring conversations.
This was the first-ever alumni mixer at Cal State Fullerton to focus on international student alumni who are in the U.S. After graduating, many international alumni work in the U.S. temporarily before returning to their home countries.
Shivansh Nathani, an international student from India, helped organize the event. Nathani serves as program chair of the CSUF Student Alumni Ambassadors. Collaborating with his team to plan the mixer was “truly an enriching journey,” he said.
Nathani shared that there were several goals in mind when planning the International Student-Alumni Mixer:
- Foster cross-cultural connections and networking opportunities between international students and alumni
- Provide a platform for alumni to share insights and experiences with current students, offering guidance and mentorship
- Strengthen ties between the university’s international student community and its alumni network, promoting a sense of belonging and support
With over 100 attendees, Nathani believes the mixer met its goals. “Witnessing the event come to life, seeing connections being forged across cultures and feeling the vibrant energy of the attendees made all the effort worthwhile,” he reflected.
Collaboration between Alumni Engagement and International Students and Scholars was key to making the mixer come to life. Justine Budisantoso, student outreach specialist in the Office of Alumni Engagement, worked with Jean Hotta, associate director of International Students and Scholars, to reach out to international alumni and invite them to reconnect with the university.
“We were thrilled for the opportunity to bring together international students with international alumni who are in the area. Enrolled students built more connections and were able to see where their Cal State Fullerton degree could take them. It was great to see international alumni return and share their fond CSUF memories with the students,” said Hotta. “We look forward to future collaborative opportunities with Alumni Engagement.”
To learn more about International Programs at Cal State Fullerton, visit their website.