International students in a Japanese university struggled with issues of loneliness, lack of belonging, and feelings of not mattering. These issues inhibited their ability to form friendships with domestic students. This study sought to investigate causes and find actionable solutions to international student social networking issues. Participants and data collected in Cycle 1 consisted of international students who offered their experiential insights through ten semi-structured interviews. Alongside domestic and international students, steps were designed, implemented, and evaluated in Cycle 2 in order to empower the international student minority group, and encourage interaction and social bonds between international and domestic students. The Cultural Awareness Circle was founded and met on Mondays throughout the course of the 2023/24 fall semester. 12 meetings were held in which both international and domestic students planned and implemented two mixer events with the goal of increasing international and domestic student interaction and fostering a sense of community. Evaluating the results of the Action Research study included a thorough assessment through member checking, questionnaires, and an exit interview with a participating international student. Student participants and collaborators/allies provided feedback that assisted in the research design and evaluation process. The study concluded that the Cultural Awareness Circle empowered student participants to plan and implement two mixer events that positively impacted international students' ability to form friendships and interact with their fellow classmates. Implications for the organization included increased intercultural interaction, integration of international student populations, and increased feelings of positivity towards the university by both international and domestic students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]