Upcoming ISSO Events
ISSO Mario Kart Tournament
When: Monday October 7th 6-7 PM
Where: Student Innovation Center (Room TBD)
What: Join us for an evening of gaming! Even if you've never played Mario Kart before, we encourage you to sign up! This event is a potluck/bring your own snack to share. Once we have an idea of how many folks will be joining, we'll make a bracket and the winner will get a prize!
Sign up HERE
Pumpkin Carving at Reiman Gardens
When: Wednesday, October 9th from 2-4
Where: Reiman Gardens (1407 University Blvd.)
What: Enjoy the fall weather of Iowa and experience all the fun of Halloween by carving pumpkins! By volunteering, you will get a FREE ticket to Sprits in the Garden, where all of the pumpkins will be displayed! Spots are limited; only sign up if you plan on attending.
Register HERE
International Community Meetup with APL and ISSO
When: Tuesday, October 15th 5-6 PM
Where: Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave. (on CyRide's Red Route)
What: Join fellow international residents on the third Tuesday of each month for fun activities and culture sharing. This month, ISSO and APL will be hosting cultural trivia with Halloween/fall themed snacks!
No registration required!
Work Visa Made Easy
When: Thursday, October 17th 5:30-7:30 PM
Where: Gerdin, Room 1148 (Stark Hall)
What: Graduate Business Career Services will host a seminar on work visas for international students who wish to stay and work in the U.S. after graduation. The presenters are David Gluckman and Jonathan Moore, experiences attorneys who represent companies all over the U.S., processing work visas and green cards for international employees.
For those unable to attend the event in-person, ISSO will send out a video recording of the event in the following weeks.
ISSO Halloween Costume Contest
When: Sunday October 20th, 5:00-6:30 PM
Where: Great Hall, MU
What: Join us for our second annual Halloween Costume Contest! There will be prizes for Most Creative, Spookiest, and Best Group costume!
ISU student organizations, campus offices, and Ames community members will hand out candy for Trick-or-Treating and give you information about their programs!
In the U.S., Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31st and throughout the month of October. People celebrate by dressing up in costumes (scary, popular celebrities, TV show characters, etc.) and children go "trick or treating" to receive candy.
Sign up HERE to either observe or participate. This is a child-friendly event and is open to all students/scholars.
English Together: Drop-In English Conversations
When: Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday from 4-5 PM
Where: International Nest Space, Parks Library Room 0034
What: English Together is designed to help participants improve their English conversational skills, learn about U.S. Culture & common phrases, build connections, and have fun!
No registration required! These sessions are drop-in!
ISU AfterDark
When: Friday, October 4th 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Where: Memorial Union
What: We are happy to have actress Brenda Song, known for her roles on Disney's "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" and Hulu's "Dollface" on at 11:00p.m. for a moderated conversation! Additionally, see magician/hypnotist Noah Sonie for his show at 9:00pm! Don't miss out on winning a prize at bingo, singing your favorite songs at karaoke, bowling at CyBowl, and so many more fun activities! Afterdark is FREE for all ISU students and their guests.
Check out the schedule HERE
Beautiful Land Market
When: Sunday, October 6th 11AM - 4PM
Where: Downtown Ames Fareway
What: Don't miss the last Fareway pop-up of the season! There will be live music, makers, vintage collectors, artists, food and drink artisans, food trucks, and local non-profits all day. There is free admission and free market totes will be given to the first 100 visitors!
School's Out Kids' Craft: Sugar Skulls
When: Monday, October 7th between 2 & 5 PM
Where: Workspace, Basement of the MU
What: Need a fun afternoon activity for the kids on a no-school day? Drop in and choose a design that you can color in with markers. Then add glitter, sequins, feathers, pompoms, and other fun decorations. Open to kids up to 15 with an adult to accompany them at the craft.
Drop in Monday, October 7th between 2 and 5pm. Only $6 in studio!
Leaders Workshop Series
When: First event -- Monday, October 7th 3-4 PM
Where: Room 2630 Memorial Union
What: Attend the first event in MU Student Engagement's Leaders Workshop Series: Mastering Microsoft with Faith Guzzo McCarter, Sorority & Fraternity Engagement.
Learn how to integrate your University Outlook account, calendar, and to-do list to manage your life! Free to attend and snacks provided!
Register HERE
Check out the other upcoming events in the series HERE
Hispanic Heritage Month
When: This Tuesday, October 8th 5-8 PM
Where: Howe Hall Atrium
What: In collaboration with the workspace and other student organization, MSA invites you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with fun activities, music, and food!
Open to the ISU Community
International Student Ambassadors Club: Donuts @ Parks
When: This Wednesday, October 9th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Parks Library
What: Swing by the courtyard in front of Parks Library for some Dunkin Donuts as a sweet treat during exam season! Proceeds will go toward future events put on by the International Student Ambassadors Club.
- 1 Donut: $2.50
- 2 Donuts: $4.00
- Box of Donuts: $16.00
Accepts Cash, Venmo, or Cashapp!
Downtown Ames Witches Walk
When: This Thursday, October 10th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Downtown Ames Main Street
What: Get ready for an EPIC night of activities and shopping at Witches Walk - 2024! This year, Downtown Ames is brewing up Witches Walk fun with:
- Witches Bingo for a chance to win 1 of 2 gift baskets from downtown businesses!
- Costume contest at 6:45 pm at Della Viti. The winner will receive a gift basket from downtown businesses
- 14 photo stations to capture your magical memories!
- FREE Witches Walk Tumbler for the first 300 attendees at Tom Evans Park
LEGO Building Saturdays!
When: October 12th & November 9th 9:00AM - 3:00 PM
Where: 1302 Advanced Teaching and Research Building (ATRB)
What: Do you enjoy building LEGO? Help the College of Engineering build 300+ models for FIRST LEGO League. FIRST LEGO League inspires youth in Iowa through competitions that provide hands-on STEM learning. No experience is required! Anyone who volunteers will get FREE pizza and a T-Shirt (as available.)
RSVP HERE
Volunteer at Reiman Gardens!
When: October 14-18th, 21-25th plant bulbs which will bloom in the spring
Where: Reiman Gardens 1407 University Blvd
What: Help us prepare the gardens for the changing seasons! 10,000+ tulip bulbs must be planted before the frost, gardens need to be put to bed, and Winter Wonderscape needs to be installed! Join Reiman Gardens horticulture staff and regular volunteers in this massive undertaking.
Volunteers to not need prior experience! All tools and simple instructions will be provided onsite, and horticulture staff will work alongside volunteers throughout the opportunity.
Sign up HERE
Mobile Flue Shot Clinics
When: October 15th 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM | October 29th 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Where: Cyclone Support Central: Parks Library Room 140
What: Students have three opportunities in October to stop by Cyclone Support Central to get their flu shot. Available by walk-in only. Students should bring their ISU ID card and insurance card.
SheTalks
When: October 17th 4:30-6:00 PM
Networking: 4:30-5:00 | Presentations: 5:00-6:00
Where: ISU Research Park Core Facility Atrium
What: Get ready for SheTalks! Join the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and Ivy College of Business for a celebration of inspiring women in our community! Seven women will share their stories in a fast-paced style format: 20 slides, 20 seconds each. Enjoy an evening of networking and engaging presentations
This event is open to the community and is FREE to attend. Registration is appreciated HERE
M.Ed. in Student Affairs Informational Session
When: Thursday, October 17th 6:30 PM
What: Interested in joining us on Thursday, October 17th at 6:30pm for our M.Ed. in Student Affairs Informational Session? We will be discussing the admission process, program requirements, and other key insights to help you get started on your M.Ed, journey.
RSVP HERE! Please contact Jules Orcutt (julesorc@iastate.edu) with any questions.
Grad Mixer Wednesdays!
When: Stop by any Wednesday, any week, the entire Fall 2024 semester! The 8:00am to 4:30pm schedule in the flyer is consistent, dedicating time slots to a range of informal interactions and learning experience.
Where: Student Innovation Center Room 1118
What: Graduate students often feel like they are on their own and that the graduate journey is a lonely walk. Don't let it be like this for you! Join us to socialize, network, get support for your academic and career needs, nurture inventions, and celebrate success.
See the Grad Mixer events page and follow the Weekly Topics to let us know if you are coming