MANKATO — For international students at Minnesota State University (MSU), the spring of 2025 brought uncertainty and stress, compounded by a series of actions from the federal government that left many feeling vulnerable. Despite these challenges, a simple gesture—an ice cream social—provided a reminder that they are not alone.
“You’re thousands of miles from home, your family is back there, and some people have been taken out of their housing and are incarcerated,” said Todd Lundquist, a business law professor at MSU. “I can’t empathize but I can sympathize.”
The event, organized by MSU’s Global Education Center, aimed to offer solace to the university’s international student community, which includes roughly 1,500 students from more than 100 countries. Lundquist, along with other MSU faculty, staff, and community members, served ice cream as a gesture of support, hoping it would convey a message of care and solidarity.
“People care about them, their professors care about them, and the community cares about them,” Lundquist said, highlighting the importance of offering international students a sense of belonging during a difficult time.
The anxiety felt by many international students has been exacerbated by recent legal actions, including the sudden revocation of student visas. Nationwide, over 1,000 students saw their legal status rescinded, and one MSU student, a 20-year-old from Bangladesh, was detained by ICE agents for 40 days. This situation, though affecting only a small percentage of students, created widespread fear about what might happen next.
“It’s not that they have fear of our society, but they have fear of the unknown,” Lundquist explained.
Despite the challenges, many international students remain focused on their academic goals. Erica Quaye, a nursing student from Ghana, expressed her determination to complete her degree, saying that the political climate won’t deter her from her studies. “I’m committed to finishing,” she said, adding that she chooses to focus on her classes rather than the threats facing international students.
Pamela Bosomtwe, another nursing student from Ghana, echoed these sentiments, sharing that she feels welcomed in Mankato. “Here, they are all caring,” Bosomtwe said of the MSU community.
For some, however, the political climate remains difficult to navigate. A student from Liberia, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed caution in discussing controversial issues in the current environment. “You just have to be careful what things you say to others,” he said.
Despite the challenges, this student, who plans to attend law school, is inspired by the intellectual discussion surrounding U.S. policies on international students and higher education. He criticized the actions of the Trump administration, pointing out that the policies not only harm international students but also undermine the U.S. higher education system, which benefits from the financial contributions of students from around the world.
“If it’s right, Congress can make that choice,” he said, referring to the need for any executive orders to be enacted into law through proper legislative processes.
As the ice cream social continued, students were reminded that, despite the challenges they face, they are not alone. The Liberian student concluded with a message of hope for his peers: “There are still people who embrace us. … And I want all the international students in America to know: It’s only going to be four years. It’s going to be OK. Just keep trusting the process.”
This event in Highland Park was more than just a social gathering; it was a powerful reminder that, even in times of uncertainty, the community remains a source of support and kindness.
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