On Friday, Sept. 8, the International Students Welcome Dinner was held for all international students and friends at the St. Albert Catholic Student Center on campus.
The dinner was co-sponsored by St. Albert, Immanuel Baptist Church, Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, International Student Ministries (ISM) and the Nepalese Student Association of Southeastern (NSAS).
“I’m so glad to be a part of St. Albert’s hosting International Students Night because it’s a part of our faith to be welcoming to all people and all cultures,” said Grace Ledoux, a sophomore majoring in nursing who attended the dinner. “We’re a universal church, and I’m so glad to be able to meet all these people from other cultures who are so nice and so friendly.”
Many members of St. Albert’s Catholic Student Association mingled with the various international students in attendance.
“It’s really amazing because it’s one way to meet people, especially for international students to engage with other international students, so I think it’s a really good opportunity to meet everybody,” said Blen Alemayehu, a junior from Ethiopia who is majoring in biology and chemistry.
Both the NSAS and some community members around Hammond provided food and refreshments. The NSAS also provided entertainment for the evening.  
“It was good,” said Saroj Simkhada, a senior majoring in microbiology and the president of the NSAS. “NSAS and ISM wanted to put the program together, and we had to go through a lot of work. The people here have helped us to make it a success. I’m very proud we did it, and we promise that we are going to do it next time, too. It’s always fun.”
The St. Albert Catholic Student Center was decorated with flags from the many different countries represented at the event, and overall, the International Students Welcome Dinner was a big hit for everyone in attendance.