Summer in the Cities Keeps Students Connected

Posted
September 7, 2020

International students who stay in Minnesota over the summer can usually enjoy a range of activities and events, from the Minnesota State Fair and Basilica Block Party to neighborhood art fairs and the Aquatennial fireworks. But the COVID-19 pandemic meant many gatherings were canceled.

The pandemic also kept some students from going home.

“It’s extremely hard and expensive to get a ticket from the U.S. to my home country,” said Lingyan Yu, a graduate student from China. “Additionally, I worried that the pandemic and international politics would make it more difficult for students to get back to the states and the campus if they choose to leave during the summer, which proved to be very valid concerns.”

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) wanted to make sure students did not feel alone during this difficult time. Staff from across the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance joined their effort to offer programming for students still in Minnesota.

Summer in the Cities offered ways for students to explore the Twin Cities, whether in front of a laptop or walking along a sidewalk, from a couch or on foot. Students could invite a friend, go to a planned small-group event, or head out solo.

Events included walking tours, Nice Ride outings, and book club meetings, as well as the Taste of Minnesota Zoom series, which introduced students to classics like tater tot hotdish.

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