The UC Santa Barbara Office of International Students and Scholars, alongside the Associated Students Trans and Queer Commission, hosted a Global Food and Game Night on March 2 in the Student Resource Building. Students were encouraged to converse and build community while trying various international cuisines.

Attendees had ramune soda, tanghulu and food catered from IV restaurants Naan Stop and Teddy Rice. Mavis Holley / Daily Nexus

Third-year sociology major and International Student Engagement Coordinator for the Trans and Queer Commission (TQC), Liz Liang, organized the event to create a space for international queer students on campus.

“There’s an absence in the presence of the international queer and trans community on the campus,” Liang said. “I want them to find a sense of comfort and embrace their identities in a place to talk with other queer international students.” 

Liang discussed challenges international students face in expressing their queer identities in their home countries, as well as within Associated Students (A.S.). Liang said it can be hard for international students to represent themselves in A.S., and being queer is even more difficult.

“Some cultures or countries prohibit international students from voicing themselves. So I understand that it’s a risky or uncomfortable decision to come out as a queer to voice themselves,” Liang said. 

Isla Vista restaurants Naan Stop and Teddy Rice provided food, including tanghulu and ramune soda. A variety of international foods were also served. Liang, a Cantonese international student, said it was important to bring dishes students were familiar with in their home countries because students don’t always have access to these types of foods on campus. 

“In terms of options, [we] are really limited,” Liang said. 

Fourth-year biochemistry major Tyler Tan discussed their challenges accessing international dishes at UCSB. 

“Getting access to the kinds of foods that I grew up eating is pretty difficult, considering that this area is very expensive,” Tan said. “I do think one of the biggest struggles on this campus is affordability.” 

Tan also mentioned the event was “enticing” because they wanted to “meet new people in this circle.” 

Third-year environmental studies and physics double major Yiwen Huang also attended the event and said there should be more campus activities featuring international cuisine. 

“It would definitely be good, especially for international students. And maybe it’s also good for local U.S. people to broaden their food spectrum. Broaden the diversity and access to multiple cultures,” Huang said. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 7  of the March 5, 2026 edition of the Daily Nexus.