b'INTERNATIONALSTUDENT SERVICESBRINGING OUTSTANDING TALENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO UF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT The International Student Support and Engagement area within International Student Services develops and implements programs and activities designed to welcome and integrate international students into the campus community. This also includes outreach to campus and community partners to strengthen their support for the international student population. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COUNCIL This years ISC was comprised of fiveJordan Hayden joined the ISC undergraduate and 13 graduate studentsto make a difference and foster representing nine different colleges andan inclusive environment.including our first from a Research and I like to help and give back Education Center. Over the course of fivein whatever way possible so meetings, the Council provided feedback andwhen I see there is a need to fix ideas for student engagement and support.something I am always there A new bylaws framework was also created toto come up with a solution to provide transparency for the groups purposethe problem to see how best and operations. We had 30 applicants for the nextwe can address the issue, said cohort, of whom eight were selected to join for theHayden.2025-2026 academic year. FRIENDSHIP FAMILIES The UFIC Friendship Families Program staff connected me with Yin from Friendship Families is a studentHong Kong. Yin, Patricia (from Spain), and I had a great dinner together. engagement program whichTheyre such excellent people! I am so glad the UF International Center aims to build relationshipsallows us to have a program like this where locals and international students and celebrate what connectscan share. Patricia and I get together weekly, and we hope Yin will join. Let us. Through this initiative,us know if you want to join us for coffee, a meal, or a chat during the rest of international students are pairedthe semester!-Mayra Rivas Acostawith Gainesville neighbors during significant U.S. cultural events and holidays. Launched in 2023 in collaboration with the Greater Gainesville International Center, our Friendship Families program is now working with the UF Brown Center for Leadership and Services Gator for Good network. To date, 15 community members were matched with 28 international students to share Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, and spring break.8 |Global Engagement Report 2025'