Through multiple events like study sessions, an MSU World Cup tournament and galas, the Lebanese Student Association, or LSA, provides opportunities for all students, especially those of Middle Eastern or Lebanese origin.

Student advisor Zubeida Arkoub has been a member since freshman year and held various positions on the e-board. 

“LSA is a really important sense of community for me,” Arkoub said. “Coming into a new campus and having LSA really made it more like home.” 

Social media chair Samara Chamoun said the association gives her a sense of familiarity. 

“It’s where I met my closest and best friends at MSU,” Chamoun said. “I always tell them that the feeling I get around them is very different; It’s really this feeling of familiarity.”

Event coordinator Marena Haidar said LSA's events give her a break from her daily school work and social life.  

“Whether it’s our e-board meetings or meetings in general, I kinda get to come laugh, joke around and do my own thing,” Haidar said.

The MSU World Cup tournament, cohosted by the Iraqi American Union, LSA and Egyptian Student Association, kicked off on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 featuring 16 teams representing different countries.

Vice president Charif Yassine said it was impactful being immersed in the event and seeing the interactions between the different teams representing their countries.

“It brought not just Lebanese culture, but all different cultures around the world at one university,” Yassine said. “Seeing everyone just support one another was just a huge contribution.” 

The next LSA event is a March Madness watch-party on Thursday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Wonders Hall. The annual Iftar dinner for Easter and Ramadan is another featured event by LSA, with more details to come.

LSA is predominantly active on its Instagram with event information, e-board updates, and more. 

Yassine said being away from home has left him distant from his culture and values, but coming to MSU and an LSA member allowed him to revisit his culture. 

“I lived in a lot of countries in the past, including Lebanon,” Yassine said. “So I’ve had that connection for a long time and losing that and then finding it again at MSU was really important through this club.”