International Week 2025 Recap

Students and Employees Come Together in a Festive Homecoming Week and Stunning Parade Showcasing a School Community Made Up of Over 80 Cultures

From September 22 to 27, the International School of Indiana (ISI) came alive with music, laughter, and school pride as students and employees celebrated International Week 2025. What began in 2019 as a way to honor ISI’s global community has quickly grown into one of the most beloved traditions of the year: a weeklong Homecoming celebration of culture, unity, and fun, that also generates support for student-led clubs and causes.

Spirit Days & Carnival Celebration

The week kicked off with a whirlwind of spirit days, with students proudly representing their Houses, language tracks, and ISI pride. This year’s Homecoming theme, Rio Carnaval, added a vibrant twist, bringing bright colors and festive energy to the hallways.

One of the standout moments from the week was the annual Timmy Club Color Run, which turned the ISI campus into a rainbow of flying chalk dust and smiling faces. Students in grades 4 through 12 ran, laughed, and cheered their way to raising over $3,000 for Timmy Global Health. 

Stories That Inspire

On Tuesday, the spotlight shifted from costumes to conversation during the Upper School Internationalism Panel. Four ISI seniors: Sofia Belcher, Leo-Paul Perrin, Nirav Vyas, and Amalia Cristea, shared their personal stories about growing up in globally minded families and communities. Their reflections provided fellow students and teachers with a meaningful reminder of why internationalism isn’t just part of ISI’s mission; it’s an integral part of daily life.

Parade of Nations

By Friday, the excitement reached its peak with the International Parade & Festival. The ISI track transformed into a moving tapestry of flags, music, and cheers as students, faculty, and staff proudly carried flags from over 80 nations. The sight of so many cultures side by side was a powerful reminder of what makes ISI’s community truly special.

Food, Fun, and Fundraising

After the parade, the excitement flowed right into the International Festival, where the air was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and games. From food trucks to inflatable slides, face painting, the Sports Corp Final Four Fan Jam, and an array of student-run booths, there was truly something for everyone to enjoy. Carnival classics like bag tosses, fishing games, and obstacle courses kept the energy high, while Upper School clubs turned all that fun into impact, raising nearly $3,500 to support their club activities.

Homecoming with an International Twist

While Homecoming is a tradition across many American schools, ISI puts its own unique spin on the celebration. Here, Homecoming is not only about school pride, but also about celebrating the global spirit that defines our community.

Throughout the week, Upper School students brought their energy and enthusiasm to two big Homecoming Games - and came away with victories in both! The Girls Varsity Volleyball team battled Purdue Polytechnic High School in an intense four-set match, pulling through with determination and smart offensive play to win 3–1. Just two days later, the Boys Varsity Soccer team fought through a tough match against Mooresville Christian, working hard despite a short bench and securing a 3–2 win.

The week wrapped up in dazzling style with the Homecoming Dance, where students celebrated the Rio Carnaval theme with vibrant colors, lively music, and plenty of school spirit.

A Community Effort

Behind all the excitement of International Week was the incredible teamwork of the ISI community. From planning to execution, this celebration was a true group effort.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the ISI Parent Association and its dedicated volunteers, who assisted in planning, running, and underwriting the costs of many of the International Festival activities. We are also grateful to the faculty and staff members who organized a parade of more than 80 nations, planned the logistics of the event, supervised club booths, and spent their Saturday evening chaperoning the Homecoming Dance. 

Special recognition goes to the ISI Student Council for their creativity in bringing the Rio Carnaval theme to life at the dance, and to the Timmy Club leaders for organizing the high-energy, high-impact Color Run.

International Week truly reflects what makes ISI special: a community that comes together to celebrate, support, and create unforgettable experiences for all.

A Week to Remember

With its colorful spirit days, inspiring stories, dazzling parade, and joyful festival, International Week 2025 was more than just a homecoming—it was a celebration of who we are as a school: a vibrant, united, and globally minded community.

Parents who want to relive the magic can find information to access the photo gallery on the ISI app, and see all the unforgettable moments. Until next year, ISI!