Print |
E-mail to a friend
NEWS
Students, faculty celebrate International Festival
The 44th Annual International Festival “Living in a Global Society” was held at Marshall University’s Memorial Student Center on Sunday.
Purchase this photo
Related:
HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University students and faculty members gathered to celebrate cultures from around the world in its annual international celebration.
Located in the Don Morris Room in Marshall's Memorial Student Center, international students from various countries set up displays, prepared foods and played live music to share their culture with others for the 44th annual International Festival on Sunday.
"This event brings everyone from around the community together to understand different cultures," said Africa representative Martin Njoku. "The more we know about everyone's culture, the better off we'll be."
More than 20 booths contained information about different countries' cultures, as well as offering food, gifts and face painting.
"Hungary is a very small country, so it is so good to present our culture to others. Also, it is good for us to get to know other countries, too," said Hungary representative Agi Szilagyi.
Events scheduled throughout the four-hour festival included a fashion show from the Organization of African Students, an Akido demonstration and musical performances by Comparsa, an international acoustic ensemble.
"I started coming to this event as a student in the 1960s," said former associate professor of anthropology Karen Simpkins. "I know it's going to be different every year."
Although the festival's atmosphere resembles a celebration, it also presents an opening for education.
"It's a great cross-cultural learning opportunity out of the classroom," said associate professor of education George Arthur. "It's also an opportunity to meet other people."
Students from the United States also benefit from the International Festival
"A friend of mine my freshman year told me about the event, and I had so much fun, I made sure to come every year," said student Doug Evans. "Every year, the food is my favorite part of the festival. Where else can you get homemade food from all over the world?"
According to Simpkins, the International Festival is synonymous with Marshall University.
"Marshall wouldn't be Marshall without the International Festival," Simpkins said. "This event creates a generation of students that come to understand that they can attend school wherever they'd like."
Marshall University's Memorial Student Center and Drinko Library will be adorned with colorful flags throughout the week for International Education Week to represent the 430 international students from more than 60 countries.
