Members of Alfred University's International Student Association (ISA) traveled to Boston, MA, in October, taking a break from their usual campus routines to explore a new city and experiences, and strengthen connections with fellow students.
The trip, Oct. 10-13, was organized by the ISA to give students an affordable opportunity to travel outside Alfred and experience more of the United States. The students were accompanied on the trip by Jessa Miller, international student advisor in Alfred University’s Pamela L. Bernstein Center for Advising.
"Alfred is a small town, and for many international students, opportunities to travel and experience other parts of the United States can be limited," said ISA President Ahmad Majidy, a senior from Tajikistan. "We wanted to make that experience more accessible and affordable while giving students a chance to relax, have fun, and make memories together."
Majidy explained that while many international students come to the U.S. not only to pursue their education but also to experience a new culture, traveling can be challenging due to academic responsibilities, finances, and limited transportation options.
"Trips like this allow students to experience more of what the country has to offer without having to organize everything on their own," Majidy said. "I believe these experiences are just as valuable as some of the things we learn inside the classroom."
For Carlos Gonzalez, a junior from Mexico, one of the most memorable parts of the trip was spending time with friends and practicing his English with new people. "As an international student, I find it really valuable being out of my comfort zone," Gonzalez said.
During the trip, Gonzalez also experienced Boston's public transportation system—including the subway and shared bicycles—for the first time. Beyond exploring the city, the trip gave students an opportunity to build new friendships. Gonzalez shared that he spoke with several students for the first time and met people outside the Alfred community.
Majidy emphasized that creating these connections is one of ISA's main priorities.
"When you spend time traveling, exploring, and sharing experiences together, conversations happen naturally and friendships develop," he said. "It also helps students realize that even though we all come from different places, we share many of the same experiences and challenges."
Looking ahead, ISA plans to continue organizing trips, cultural celebrations, and social events that bring international and domestic students together. "I want ISA to be more than just an organization that hosts events," Majidy said. "I want it to be a community where students feel welcomed, supported, and comfortable being themselves."
For Majidy, the ultimate goal is to ensure that when students look back at their time at Alfred, some of their favorite memories come from the friendships and experiences they made through ISA.
Story by Andrii Maltsev '27
