Dead Club Rising

All the way from South Korea, Russia, Vietnam, Iran and Thailand, they congregate in Pierce’s International Student Services office for a Halloween gathering to play games, eat food and meet one another. Jaunty skeletons and jack-o’-lanterns accompany the 30 flags representing countries from around the world that hang around the room.

In some of the international students’ home countries Halloween doesn’t exist, yet here they are surrounded by spooky iconography and new faces. They have gathered to do more than simply enjoy the festivities of this unfamiliar custom. They have come to resurrect the International Student Club from the dead.

Together they begin to form connections and build the foundation to revive the club through games that test their teamwork skills. Working to navigate a minefield by remembering the previous person’s path helps forge friendships. Between games, they discuss how each can contribute to the club. Wherever they may call home, even if they’ve never experienced Halloween, this is the chance to shout “Trick-or-Treat!”