The fall semester doesn’t begin for another couple of weeks, but more than 170 international students have arrived on the Allen Community College campus already.
Josiah D’Albini, director of student life at ACC, spoke at Monday’s Iola City Council meeting about the influx of students
D’Albini, who is a candidate for the Council, invited those at the meeting to help welcome the newcomers, representing 25 countries from around the globe, to the Iola community.
Historically, the students have felt ill at ease in and around the community, D’Albini said.
With that in mind, the college has a few events planned to help them feel more at home.
A “welcome back” block party, for all ACC students, is planned at the Iola campus the night of Aug. 24.
While several businesses already have signed up to be a part of the festivities, booths for others are still available, D’Albini said. He invited locals wishing to be a part to contact him at [email protected].
The college also is hosting International Food Night once a month, in which the college cafeteria is open to the public the second Tuesday of each month to share delicacies popular in other cultures. The first, Australia Night, is set for Sept. 14.
In a related matter, D’Albini noted the college cafeteria is once again open to the public, after being shuttered last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cafe is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for an all-you-can-eat buffet, and for dinner meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Councilwoman Nancy Ford, a digital media instructor at ACC, and Iola Mayor Jon Wells, who teaches history at the college, echoed D’Albini in asking Iolans to roll out the welcome mat for the students.
“Remember, some of these international students — and maybe some of our regular students — are away from home for the first time in their lives,” Wells said. “It’s nice to bring some diversity to the college, and to the town.”
He also urged motorists to remember internationals may be unfamiliar with local traffic rules — in particular that Americans drive on the right side of the road.
“Some are used to looking the other way when they cross into traffic,” Wells noted. “It seems simple, but remember, these kids are still 18-19 years old.”
Ford also spoke glowingly of the students.
