San Jose State’s International Student and Scholar Services threw a “Squid Game”-themed event called International Welcome in Student Union Ballroom B on Friday.
“Squid Game” is a Korean drama series produced by Netflix that aired in 2021.
Both international and non-international SJSU students were welcome to enjoy games, prizes and food.
Keri Toma, the International Programs Manager for International Student and Scholar Services, said her respective department on campus advises and provides support services for international students.
“We do this event once a semester to welcome back international students, but also it's open to everybody,” Toma said. “It's a chance to meet people from all over the world.”
She also said student assistants from International Student and Scholar Services planned the entire event with “Squid Game”-themed activities and decor.
Clubs and organizations such as Chinese Student Association, Indian Students Organization, and International House were in attendance.
Hayley Lin, a studio art senior from the Chinese Student Association explains that they were there to welcome students and encourage them to enjoy the event.
“We want to help a lot of Chinese students to get more help in school,” Lin said. “Like maybe it’s their first time coming to the United States. They don't know how to get help, but they come to us to ask questions.”
Josie Pan, a digital media arts graduate student, also a member of the Chinese Student Association, said she wants to help Chinese students connect with each other.
Computer engineering freshman Aniket Chopade said he enjoyed the event.
“Initially, there was a lot of chaos,” Chopade said. “But as the game progressed, [I] enjoyed it. And this last round was, like, awesome.”
The first game of the event was centered around the marbles game featured in episode six of the Netflix series “Squid Game”.
The second event was carving out symbols of the Dalgona cookies featured in episode three.
Dalgona is a South Korean candy made from melted sugar and baking powder according to a New York Times 2021 post.
The last event was a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Chopade said they also did a betting game and a conga line.
As an international student, Chopade said this event helped him meet new people and get more in tune with campus culture.
“You get to know different people from all over the world,” he said.
Toma said that the intention behind the event was to help students connect.
“Everything we do is kind of guided by four words: connect, explore, engage and thrive,” Toma said. “And so that's what we do with our international students. Helping them connect with each other, but also other students and resources, get them engaged in the larger community.”
