Talking About InTalknational

On January 16th, 2020 about forty international students welcomed in the new year walking around the Multipurpose Room in the SRB, sharing experiences based on eight prompts created by the International Student Advisory Board, laughter echoed throughout the room and good indian food was had by all. InTalknational is ISAB’s favorite annual event, an opportunity to share a meal and chat about advocacy and campus climate with international students.

InTalknational is always an event that really sticks with me. It's a special space and concept where international students studying at UCSB can gather around to share dinner and an experience. The gallery walk, where students walk around the room and answer questions together, is one of my favorite parts. It becomes suddenly apparent the students studying here from abroad share lots more than the title “international student” or CALI training; they share an experience. Folks can come together over things native Californians like myself take for granted: the IV lifestyle, freebirds, living by the beach.

The questions brought up at InTalknational always solicit interesting and innovative answers. There is a certain solidarity in international students answering, “what makes you feel like a part of the UCSB community?” Hearing folks relate over UCSB garb, the abundance of kind-hearted Isla Vistians, a certain space on campus or even Goleta Beach. There is a common experience, intentional or not, that makes feel folks like they belong here at UCSB and to have that vocalized and recorded at the start of the Quarter felt really valuable. UCSB has a welcoming spirit that I haven't seen as much on other campuses, because it is such an easy- going beachy space, it seems to open up its arms to all who choose to come here. There are universals whether domestic or international that the UCSB experience provides, like having the beach as a get-away a tough day.

This is the fourth InTalknational I have been to and it has been really impactful to see the shift in dynamic as well as the common themes. This year we had the privilege of welcoming the UC Police Department community outreach team to dinner. Getting to witness international students and the UCPD interacting for the first time in such a positive environment was incredible. Not only did international students get to ask any questions they had openly but we also got to chat about some preventive measures to stay safe in a very relaxed environment- classic UCSB style, even with the police involved! We were truly privileged to have been in such great company from undergrad to graduate students to the police department representatives!