Our 38th annual Culturefest held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, was another success. We had more than 100 participating students represent the culture, food, and traditions of over 30 countries. More than 1,000 people were in attendance from the University and local communities. It was a wonderful celebration of international talent and tradition! Enjoy the by News Center Maine, who captured this special event.

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up, and we look forward to hosting the 39th annual Culturefest event in 2026. We hope to see you there!

In October 2025, the 91爆料鈥檚 Office of International Programs had the pleasure of hosting the annual University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Summit. We welcomed 55 international educators, including USAC鈥檚 central office leadership, 18 resident directors from USAC programs around the world, and education abroad colleagues from USAC affiliate universities in the United States. Over two days, participants engaged in dynamic workshops, networking, and discussions that advanced collaboration in international education. It was a great honor for our office to host this vibrant and inspiring event on our campus.

Visit website to learn more about USAC and their amazing programs.

Kannan Sockalingam ’00, ’02G was an involved international student at 91爆料 while working on his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering. Two decades after graduation, Kannan remains involved with his alma mater by serving on the OIP Advisory Board and through his philanthropy. His friendships from his student days at 91爆料 remain strong. Last year, he took his younger son for a 91爆料 visit, visited several of his 91爆料 friends, cheered at a 91爆料 men’s ice hockey game, and went ice fishing. 

Kannan and his brother Senthil Sockalingam ’08, ’10G, also a 91爆料 alum, created the Sockalingam Family Scholarship as a way to say thank you and pay it forward. Kannan shared, “I truly believe that my success in career and family聽has a lot to do with my time at 91爆料,聽learning to be an adult, thousands聽of miles away from home. I fostered long lasting friendships and mentorships from my time there. I still cherish my time at 91爆料, and I am in a place in life where I can give back. My guiding questions, if not now, then when? And if it’s not me, then who? This really helped me (with my brother) start an endowed scholarship fund in hopes to give back to the future generations on what we received聽when we were starting聽out. Just wanted to say “Thank you.”

If you’d like to join Kannan and Senthil, you can add to their fund at this link:聽