At Kirkwood Community College, we talk a lot about diversity, inclusion and community. These words appear in brochures, orientation speeches, and official statements. But beyond the language, the real question is simple: How often do we actually meet each other halfway?
One practical, powerful, and genuinely joyful way to do this is through sports, especially a friendly soccer match between international and U.S. students at Kirkwood.
On the surface, it may look like just a game, but ninety minutes, two teams, a ball and a field, is more than just a game. Anyone who understands sports, especially soccer, knows it is never really just about the scoreline. Soccer speaks a language most of us already understand. You do not need to share an accent, a passport or even spoken words to recognize a good pass, a missed chance or a last-minute goal. That is exactly why this idea matters.
Kirkwood is home to students from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, alongside students born and raised here in Iowa and across the United States. Yet, despite sharing classrooms, hallways and deadlines, many of us still move in social bubbles.
International students often stick with fellow internationals, and U.S. students do the same among themselves. This is rarely intentional. It is simply easier to stay with what feels familiar. As an international student myself, I know how easy it is to feel present on campus but still feel unseen. A soccer match gently disrupts that habit.
For many international students, soccer is not just a sport. It is part of everyday life back home. It is played on dusty fields, narrow streets, beaches and schoolyards. For many U.S. students, soccer may be recreational, competitive or something they are still learning to enjoy. Bringing these experiences together on one field creates a shared moment of excitement and openness.
In that space, labels like international and local start to lose their power.
What remains are teammates, opponents, laughter and mutual respect. The symbolic value of such a match is easy to overlook, but it matters. It reminds everyone that international students are not visitors passing through campus life.
They are part of it. At the same time, it invites U.S. students to engage in a way that feels natural, not forced. No awkward mixers. No scripted icebreakers. Just movement, teamwork and real interaction.
Beyond symbolism, the impact is deeply human. Sports build connections faster than small talk ever could. A shared sprint, a missed penalty or a dramatic save can start conversations that continue long after the game ends. These moments help international students feel welcomed and seen, easing isolation and homesickness. For U.S. students, it offers exposure to global cultures, not through lectures or textbooks, but through lived experience.
This idea does not have to stop with soccer. Soccer is a good starting point because of its global reach, but it can easily grow into basketball, volleyball or other recreational games. What matters most is the intention to bring students together in a relaxed and joyful setting.
Organizing such a match would also say something important about Kirkwood as an institution. It would show that the college does not just recruit internationally, but also cares about real integration. Prospective students notice these things. A campus that plays together is more likely to feel like a place where everyone belongs.
In a world that often feels divided by borders, politics and misunderstanding, small gestures still count. A soccer match will not fix global problems, but it can change how we see the person sitting next to us in class. It can replace distance with familiarity, and curiosity with respect.
Sometimes, building community does not begin with a policy or a committee. Sometimes, it begins with a ball at the center of a field and a simple invitation to play.
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
