The International Student Association@@http://isa.uoregon.edu/about%20us.html@@ will be hosting International Week from Monday, April 9 to Friday, April 13. The week-long event is slated to host numerous activities themed in culture and diversity.
“We will have everything from sushi-making to film discussions,” said Kyungla Chae, co-director of the ISA@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Kyungla+Chae@@. Chae said that no matter which hobbies or interests a person has, International Week have something to offer.
The majority of the events are tutorials and workshops. Hula dance, Chinese paper-cutting and tie-dye are three of 23 events scheduled to take place on campus. Eighteen of these events will take place in the EMU.
The culmination of International Week is International Night which will be held in the EMU Ballroom on Sunday, April 15 at 7 p.m. Co-director William Murphy@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=William+Murphy@@ said International Night will be the biggest and best of all events.
“Sunday night is basically our grand finale,” Murphy said. The night will consist of dances, musical performances and a banquet featuring global cuisine.
Nine different dishes will be provided at the International Night dinner with meals inspired from cultures spanning the globe, including Syrian, Argentine, Thai and Mayan.
Chae says people tend to think that in order to achieve an appreciation for culture, they need to study abroad. She doesn’t think this is the case.
“We have so much diversity at the University of Oregon, and International Week is aimed at looking within our own community to seek out and celebrate that diversity.”
University senior Bryant Huang@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Bryant+Huang@@ has attended International Week for three years and looks forward to his fourth and final chance to participate.
“I think Eugene is uncultured compared to most other college towns,” Huang said. “International Week gives students an opportunity to come out and explore other cultures besides their own.”
Students can find more information regarding International Week and International Night at the Mills International Center located in the EMU.