International week events celebrate cultural diversity
From the movie “Tsotsi” to salsa dance lessons, students will have the opportunity to see a small part of what life is like in other cultures next week.
The Office of International Programs at NDSU and the International Student Association is sponsoring the annual International Week for NDSU and the community March 26 – 30.
The theme for the week is “World Fest” and will explore and celebrate diversity.
“The idea for celebrating international students and cultures was actually started in the 1980s with a one night dinner,” said Kerri Spiering, director of the office of international programs. “Now we have enough students and events to have it last a week.”
International week was created to inspire students to study abroad and to showcase the different cultures NDSU has, said Samudra Weeratunge-Kugel, a graduate assistant for the office of international programs.
“We want students to have a bonding experience, get to know another culture and have a taste of the world,” Weeratunge-Kugel said. “The international students also get an opportunity to show their culture and take pride in it.”
International week is trying to target everyone from students, faculty and staff to community members.
“We want to reach everyone, as far out as we can get,” Spiering said. “We love to see new faces at the events.”
Students from 37 countries will be carrying the flags of their home country during the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday in the Memorial Union.
President Joseph Chapman and International Student Association President Gerard Beaubrun will be speaking at the opening ceremony as well.