Experience the Wonders of Iraq: Support Our Cultural Night Gala!

Greetings from the vibrant heart of UC Berkeley! We are the Iraqi Student Union, and we have always aimed to promote cultural diversity and inclusivity. Since our establishment in Spring 2023, we’ve been tirelessly working to create a home away from home for Iraqi peers while fostering connections and building a strong sense of community on campus. 

Since our founding, we have worked to create meaningful connections among students through cultural, social, and professional programming. ISU is built on the belief that representation and community matter, especially for students navigating college far from home. Through our events, we aim to celebrate Iraqi identity while creating lasting friendships and support networks at UC Berkeley.

In Spring 2025, we proudly hosted an Iraqi Cultural Night Gala in collaboration with the Iraqi Student Union at UC Davis. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to host a free, inclusive event featuring live music, traditional food, and local vendors. The event welcomed over 150 attendees and was a powerful celebration of Iraqi culture, community, and connection.

This year, we are crowdfunding once again to continue and expand our programming. Our plans include:

• Social gatherings where members can connect with other Iraqi students
• Community-building activities such as candle-making workshops and group hikes
• Professional development events featuring Iraqi alumni sharing their post-graduation journeys
• A large cultural gala hosted on the UC Berkeley campus

These events are essential to sustaining our organization and ensuring that Iraqi students feel seen, supported, and empowered on campus.

All estimates are rough only, and actual expenditures may vary.

 

If we meet or surpass our goal, we will be able to expand our events, host larger gatherings, and offer more frequent programming throughout the academic year. If we do not meet our full goal, every dollar raised will still go directly toward supporting our mission such as covering food costs, supplies for activities, or partial event expenses.

By supporting ISU, you are directly investing in student belonging, cultural representation, and community building. Your contribution helps ensure that Iraqi students at UC Berkeley have access to safe spaces, meaningful connections, and opportunities to celebrate their identity. Every donation makes a real impact for our organization! Thank you for taking the time to learn about our organization and for supporting our work.

Follow us on Instagram to keep in touch: @isu.california 

As of February 20, a generous Cal alum has matched $300 in gifts to Iraqi Student Union. Thank you for doubling your impact and celebrating our campus cultures!