International Week is a love letter to the cultural mix of students at the University of Miami and the Council of International Students and Organizations’ longest-standing tradition.
Celebrating its 59th anniversary this year, COISO hosted 700 students — breaking its attendance record.
Connecting with the UM community, especially non-U.S. citizens, is COISO’s main goal. International students move to the U.S. every year to attend UM, with more than 800 international students admitted in the 2025-26 academic year alone.
International week began on Monday, April 6, with its opening ceremony honoring every featured region. The Middle East and Europe were celebrated on Tuesday, followed by Latin America, Africa, and Asia, respectively.
During I-Week, Lakeside Patio was bursting with music, lights and the smell of cuisines from around the world.
“There are international students who don’t get to go home for years,” said Nayonika Choudhury, COISO’s vice president of external affairs. “[Students at COISO] come from a selection of [more than 50] countries but are united in our hopes, dreams and struggles of pursuing a future thousands of miles away from our families and support systems.”
To celebrate this community, COISO took their flagship event literally. The Fate Bridge, which connects Lakeside Village with Lakeside Patio, was lined with flags from all over the globe. For some students,the decorations are more than just symbols.
“For me, I-Week is about representation,” Laraib Salman, COISO’s Asia night chair, said. “It’s a night to showcase the beauty of our cultures and celebrate the diversity that UM has to offer.”
COISO wanted to showcase the variety of cultures at UM and bridge the gap for those finding their place.
“We host I-Week to bring a small piece of our home to the campus,” said Choudhury. “So every UM student, regardless of where they are from, sees a part of themselves, their culture, their identity and their history reflected at UM.”
Student organizations from each region were invited to table and offer culturally based food or activities. The week offered students a place to discover new people and organizations.
“It brings people together from so many different parts of the world,” Brenda Gupta, president of COISO, said. Her best friend is from Rwanda. They met while volunteering for I-Week two years ago.
Changes are implemented every year to keep I-Week’s welcoming environment.
Entertainment has always been a part of the event, with guest performances from UM students and professionals. This year, attendees are included in the performances through dancing workshops and flash mobs.
Dance groups included Love of Chinese, Korean and Eastern Dances Dance Team, Hurricane Bhangra and students from the Frost School of Music.
“Our goal is to foster an environment of warmth and invitation at UM towards students from all nations,” said Nayonika Choudhury, COISO’s vice president of external affairs.