Campus Life Resources
Both on and off campus, in Ithaca, N.Y., there is tremendous opportunity to meet, live, and work with international students and scholars drawn to Cornell’s enlightened campus. Despite its small town appeal, Ithaca is a surprisingly cosmopolitan city, thanks largely to Cornell, which is overflowing with the perspectives, ideas, and cultural traditions of countries all across the globe.
At any given time, several hundred student organizations are active on the Cornell campus, many with a significant country or culture focus. International student groups, usually organized by undergraduate and graduate students, give members a chance to express cultural pride even as they fend off homesickness. Some communities even have more than one group; students from China, for example, have started over ten.
Year-round, student organizations, departments and international study centers present movies, plays, dances, and holiday festivals. In the spring the campus celebrates International Week—a mix of events that might include Indian classical music, Latino dancing, Iraqi videos, a soccer tournament with “nation” teams, and separate days devoted to the cultures of various nations. Because food can rarely be separated from culture, it should be no surprise that members of the Cornell community have access to an impressive variety of international cuisines—Cajun, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Mexican, Vietnamese, and Thai, just to name a few.
Cornell has long promoted and fostered its international communities, and in so doing has placed the university in a unique position to offer a world-class education along with a worldly campus life experience.
Continue to explore this category by browsing the available links below 
Features
Search All Cornell Student Organizations
Audience:
Current Cornell Student
Several hundred student organizations are active on the Cornell campus, many with a significant country or culture focus. The best way to find ones that relate to your particular interests is to browse the entire list of student associations. But, if you prefer, you can do a specialized search.
- Arts and Sciences, College of
- Industrial and Labor Relations, School of
- Law School
- Management, Johnson Graduate School of
- Veterinary Medicine, College of
- Miscellaneous
Use the "Group by:" pull down above to
change the grouping or remove it completely.
Arts and Sciences, College of
Language House
Unit:
College of Arts and Sciences
Audience:
Current Cornell Student
The Language House is a unique residence for students who want to hone their language skills in a friendly setting and make connections to others with similar interests.
Industrial and Labor Relations, School of
Cornell University International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
Unit:
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Audience:
International Visitors/Scholars
The mission of our office, which was founded in 1936, is to assist individual international students and foreign academic staff and their families by advising them concerning federal immigration, tax and labor regulations, and by providing counseling on personal, academic and cultural matters. In addition, we try to promote cross-cultural awareness in the Cornell community through educational programming, such as orientation, cultural adjustment, and cross - cultural communication. Finally, our goal is to serve as an information service for the Cornell, Ithaca, and surrounding communities; and in general to promote the benefits of international educational exchange.
ILR Global Affairs Club (IGAC)
Unit:
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Audience:
Current Cornell Student,
Prospective International Student
Founded in 2008, the ILR Global Affairs Club’s mission is to promote greater awareness about the issues affecting today’s global workplace by pursuing all student members' interests in worker and business relations. This club will work towards its mission by hosting forums, special events and by aiding its members in their pursuit for international travel experiences. Lastly, IGAC will aim to transfer valuable leadership opportunities to its members and provide opportunities for students to explore their specific interest areas of the international workplace.
ILR International Graduate Student Association
Unit:
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Audience:
Prospective International Student
The main purpose of ILR's IGSA is to address the specific needs of international students in the MILR program. We accomplish this by arranging a diverse group of workshops, guest speaker lectures and cultural events for members to participate in and attend. We are also committed to facilitating the creation and strengthening relationships between the international and domestic MILR student population.
ILR International Programs News
Unit:
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Contains links to all recent internationally related ILR news.
ILR Multicultural Affairs
Unit:
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Audience:
Current Cornell Student,
Prospective International Student
Cornell has a long history of cultural diversity. We honor this legacy as we welcome all individuals to campus. ILR values diversity and is responsive to the unique social, academic, and cultural needs of minority students. One quarter of ILR students identify as Black/African American, Latino/a, Asian/Asian American, Native American or have a multi-racial background. ILR Multicultural Affairs Assistants — students who assist the Associate Director for Multicultural Affairs in the recruitment and retention of minority students and provide academic and personal support to their peers - can help facilitate your transition to Cornell. Minority students also participate in a variety of student organizations, and are especially active in the Minority Industrial and Labor Relations Student Organization (MILRSO).
International Programs Profiles
Unit:
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Audience:
Prospective International Student
This website contains profiles of ILR students, faculty, Global Partners, Visiting Fellows, and Alumni and Friends.
Law School
International Program Events
Unit:
Law School
The Berger International Legal Studies Program, the Clarke Fund for the Middle East, and the Leo Nevas Human Rights Fund all sponsor speakers during the academic year, as well as conferences both at Cornell and abroad.
Law School Student Organizations
Unit:
Law School
Cornell Law School hosts a wide range of internationally-oriented student organizations, including one of the leading international law journals, and sponsors a number of international moot court teams.
Management, Johnson Graduate School of
International Students
Unit:
Johnson Graduate School of Management
Audience:
Current Cornell Student
The Johnson School has a strong international focus and believes that diversity in their student body contributes to greater learning opportunities for all.
Veterinary Medicine, College of
Student Organizations
Unit:
College of Veterinary Medicine
Audience:
Current Cornell Student
Students at the College of Veterinary Medicine are involved in a wide range of both veterinary and non-veterinary extracurricular activities. Participation in organizations and clubs is an integral part of the student experience at the College and provides an excellent opportunity for networking, making friends, developing leadership skills, and learning about specific topics in veterinary medicine.
Miscellaneous
Applying Your Experience
Audience:
Current Cornell Student
Perhaps you’ve already secured your international academic program, you’ve studied abroad, or you are an international student currently on the Cornell campus. If you are eager to apply your valuable international experience to a worthwhile project while you finish your degree, here is a sampling of what you can do.
Cornell Cinema
Audience:
Current Cornell Student,
Cornell Faculty/Staff
Here’s a great way to experience countries and cultures around the globe without leaving Ithaca. Pick up a Passport at the Cornell Cinema box office at either Willard Straight Theater or Uris Auditorium during show times, or from the Cornell Cinema Office at 104 Willard Straight Hall any weekday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Throughout the year Cornell Cinema features a wide array of foreign films and with the passport, every fifth foreign film is free!
Holland International Living Center
Audience:
Current Cornell Student
HILC is a residential community with a focus on global political, economic, social, and cultural issues, as well as the celebration and appreciation of international cultures. It is home to 144 residents from countries around the world and a mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and grad students.
International Students and Scholars Office
The International Studies and Scholars Office (ISSO) offers visa, immigration, and travel information for international students and scholars leaving and reentering the U.S. along with general travel resources and links to: airline, rail, car rental sites, American youth hostels, and discount travel sites.
International Students Programming Board (ISPB)
The International Students Programming Board (ISPB) is an organization of students from a diverse background committed to promoting dialogue and awareness about world events, cultures, and issues.
Networking
Audience:
Current Cornell Student,
Cornell Faculty/Staff,
Cornell Alumni
For students, it's never too early to start planning your networking strategy. For current faculty, staff, and alumni it's never too late.
