Students from around the world have found a second home here at CMU. Why? Our tight-knit community hosts student organizations, cultural celebrations and support services to help you meet new people, foster connection and thrive.
Number of international students: 1,726
Total number of CMU students: 14,426
Number of countries students call home: 62
Student organizations
There are 300 student organizations and clubs at CMU for you to get involved in. You’ll find sports organizations, volunteer opportunities, groups for academic areas of study and so much more.
There are also specific organizations for international students and those interested in different cultures. These groups include:
- International Student Organization
- Indian Student Association
- African Student Association
- Asian Cultural Organization
- Chinese Students and Scholars Association
- Empowered Latino Union
- Bangladeshi Student Association
- Saudi Student Club
Each group hosts their own events like trivia nights, food tastings and cultural celebrations to educate and foster community.
VIEW ALL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Cultural celebrations
Each year, dozens of cultural celebrations are hosted on campus including; Hispanic Heritage Month, Arab American Heritage Month, discussion panels, fashion and art displays and more. These events offer opportunities for students to engage with individuals from various cultures through food, music, activities and celebrations.
Support services
As an international student, you’ll have a unique set of opportunities. We’re here to help you make the most of them.
Our International Students and Scholars team provides a range of services including visa and immigration assistance, orientation programs, support for navigating health insurance and more.
In addition to resources tailored specifically for international students, you will also have access to campus-wide resources including:
- Tutoring services: Free one-to-one tutoring in various subjects from other CMU students.
- Career Development Center: Get support crafting your résumé, practice interview skills or view one of the 2,200 unique employers posting job and internship opportunities for CMU students and graduates.
- Writing Center: Support through every step of the writing process, from brainstorming to proofing and final edits.
- Student Food Pantry: Open to all CMU students, the Student Food Pantry offers free food, hygiene and cleaning items to help combat food insecurity.
- Free and confidential mental health support: The Counseling Center is staffed by licensed mental health professionals and graduate level trainees.
- Helpdesk (Information Technology): Technology support on university owned or your own devices including help setting up your Global ID, connecting to Wi-Fi and accessing instructor course materials.
People are very friendly and helpful. They are open-minded and often eager to learn about other people's cultures.
Financial equity lunch to headline diversity symposium
A panel on equitable financing in higher education will highlight the two-day 9th Annual CMU Diversity Symposium, dedicated to exploring diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging. This year’s symposium is built around the theme, “Embracing the ‘I’ in DEIJB.”
Four panelists will share their successes in securing funding for DEIJB initiatives at their organizations in “Equity-Minded Finance in Higher Education,” from 11 a.m. to noon on April 25 in the Bovee University Center Rotunda. The conversation will take place as the Vice Presidential Signature Session.
“The Vice-Presidential Signature Luncheon is intended to offer examples of best practices within diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging work,” said Dr. Nikita Murry, Director of Diversity Education with the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “This session will offer examples of successful funding efforts and explore solutions to persistent barriers. It is significant that the primary participants are senior executives.”
“Since the Diversity Symposium is designed to appeal to multiple audiences, this panel discussion will reflect discussion drivers within higher education, community and the workforce.”
Dr. Shawna Patterson-Stephens, CMU Vice President for Inclusive Excellence & Belonging, will facilitate the dialogue. The panelists include Andreason Brown, Chief Financial Officer of the Spencer Foundation; David McGhee, Chief Executive Officer of The Steve Fund; Regina Sharma, Director of Development with the Detroit Justice Center; and Jesse Bernal, Chief of Staff/Chief Diversity Officer with Grand Valley State University.
A fireside chat with CMU President Bob Davies officially kicks off the symposium at 9 a.m. on April 24. A roundtable discussion, “Inclusion in Education,” hosted by Provost Nancy Matthews, starts the second day at 8:30 a.m.
The first day will also feature a keynote lunch presentation by Holiday Simmons, an Atlanta-based social worker with 20 years of experience in crisis response, conflict mediation and somatics with a social justice lens.
Both days will include multiple tracks of research-based presentations. All events are in the Rotunda and surrounding Terrace Rooms. People interested in attending are asked to register in advance.