Just in case you were out partying last Saturday, or were head-deep in books because you’re in O-chem or some other academic craziness, we’re here to give you a quick rundown of the International Students Association’s (ISA) Culture Show as it happened!
First off, hats off to MC’s for days Michael Ossai ‘26 and Rodion Buhai ‘28 for absolutely killing the show, keeping the audience engaged, and excited through it all! It was a lovely pairing between the both. They were both funny as hell, but Rodion (Rody) was absolutely hilarious bro.
Throughout the show, Michael handed out ISA merch to members of the audience. We got a few pics for y’all below so you’d see why Michael called them DRIP. I know, I know—you want one, I want one too. Sorry, not sorry for us, the Culture Show already passed, try again next year.
Throughout the show, Michael handed out ISA merch to members of the audience. We got a few pics for y’all below so you’d see why Michael called them DRIP. I know, I know—you want one, I want one too. Sorry, not sorry for us, the Culture Show already passed, try again next year.
Rody, trying to get people hype about getting the merch, called them “black shirts with some cOoL white designs on them”. Everytime he said that, he’d raise his eyebrows up and down like he was playing Mr Bean on stage – the guy was such a clown that day. I promise you it was hilarious, you just had to be there.
Besides the MCs’ combined brilliance, there were also incredible performances throughout the show. From start to end, ISA’s performers absolutely rocked the stage, delivering performances that ranged from electric to thought-provoking, to inspiring, to heart-warming.
The show began with a stunning performance by Oskar Diyali ‘27. Cornell’s Pop Contemporary band superstar, he performed “Nothing In My Head Besides Timi,” an absolutely breathtaking song from Nepal incorporating both English and Nepali. Here’s a little glimpse into that! You’re welcome 😉
Oskar’s performance was followed by Michael Ossai ‘26. He beautifully rendered “Autumn Leaves” by Eric Clapton. Imagine that—MC and vocalist at the same time. Everybody wants to be like that guy for real.
In other news, the Culture Show wasn’t just about the hype. There were moments that hit deep, like Nella Sadirova’s (‘28) lullaby, which turned the entire room into a collective moment of reflection. She sang so warmly about the chaos and darkness which war brings upon her home country of Kazakhstan. 🥺
Then there was Posse Puerto Rico’s dance-turned-demonstration—both a celebration and a protest, a reminder of the beautiful country’s history and resilience in the midst of persecution and political oppression. You could feel the weight of it, the way the audience went from cheering to silence, absorbing every movement, every step, every emotion laid bare on that stage.
The Culture Show was so rich, a member of staff at Cornell College later reflected that the show didn’t just celebrate culture—it honored grief, too. They (deciding to remain anonymous) wrote about how they walked in expecting fun (because let’s be real, the Culture Show is one of the most exciting events at Cornell) but didn’t expect to also feel the depth of history, loss, and perseverance woven into the performances. It wasn’t just about showcasing talent—it was about holding space for both joy and struggle. Here’s the staff member’s reflection piece if you’d like!
And that’s what made Culture Show 2025 different. It wasn’t just dope because the performances were insane (which they were). It was dope because it meant something. People left feeling something. It was a reminder that love for culture isn’t just about the fun—it’s also about the history, the weight, the meaning. And the ISA family? They brought all of that to the stage and left us with something we won’t forget anytime soon.
So yeah. Culture Show 2025? Absolute fire. If you missed it, that’s on you. But don’t worry—you’ve got next year to redeem yourself. Just make sure you’re there, front row, ready to take it all in.
ISA did that. And it was dope.