The Egyptian Students Association (ESA) is a student-run organization that offers a safe space for Egyptian students to connect while participating in club-sanctioned activities.

“The Egyptian Students Association has two main objectives,” Karim Ahmed, president of the ESA, said. “The first one is to gather Egyptian students on ISU’s campus and connect them, and the second is to build connections with other students on campus and to share our culture and heritage with them.”

Founded in 2012, the ESA was originally a thriving organization. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in membership, causing the group to lose its official status.

“About a year ago, the advisor of the Association talked to me saying that he wants to rebuild the Association again,” Ahmed said. “We made a new constitution and we rebuilt our organization… We had elections, and I became the president.”

The ESA now has about 30 members, primarily Egyptian students. The organization plans to leverage its newly restored status to provide a community for Egyptian students, education for non-Egyptian students and engaging activities for all members.

“I think the Egyptian Students Association overall provides support for all Egyptian students,” Ahmed Raslan, treasurer of the ESA, said. “This is the primary goal, in addition to other students from other cultures as well. It’s a great opportunity for Egyptian students to join our organization. We will provide all of the necessary support [and resources].”

The ESA will hold its first meeting of the semester from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday in Carver Hall, Room 0305. The meeting will be a welcome event with food provided for all attendees.

The ESA plans to organize more engaging events during its monthly meetings throughout the semester, including career fair preparations, movie nights and sporting events at the Lied Recreation Center.

“We are always here to help and provide support,” Ahmed said. “[Students] can always have a home away from home, and we will provide them with all that they need.”

The ESA has previously assisted new members with transportation from Des Moines International Airport, as well as helped with moving in and settling into their new home on campus.

“Students who join this organization will get a chance to get educated about a different culture,” Raslan said. “Again, Egypt is very rich in history… I find [the ESA] very useful to connect all the Egyptian students and the Ames community as well.”

Meetings for the ESA occur at 6 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. The location varies, so students interested in attending should email [email protected] for details.

Anyone interested in the ESA can visit their website or follow their Facebook page.