Correction appended
More than 600 University students, alumni and visitors attended International Night, the final event of International Week 2008, Saturday in the EMU.
University President Dave Frohnmayer opened the ceremony with a few words about the importance of cultural variety at the University and his own study abroad experience.
“This University would not be the same without its international characters,” Frohnmayer said.
International Week and Night 2008 was titled “Six billion brushstrokes, one portrait.” Every student at the University of Oregon represents one of the six billion people that live on Earth. The event began with a huge dinner consisting of 20 different dishes from around the world.
University students Weronika Budak and Tri Vo moderated and entertained during the program.
“The goal of today’s event is to unite international and American students,” said Budak, the European Student Association president. “It is a great event where these students can show their tradition and culture,” she said.
International Night featured a variety of performances, including a world fashion show, a Scottish fiddler, an Indian dance, a Japanese performance, an Argentine tango performance and an African storytelling. ISA students have been planning International Night since winter term.
“This event was successful even if only one student had learned more about different cultures and countries and walks out more open minded,” said Bryan Saxton, ISA public relations officer. The international journalism student has worked for ISA since last fall, and was previously a volunteer.
“I lived in the student dorms when I was a freshman and made friends with many international students and enjoyed learning more about their cultures,” Saxton said. “They made me feel at home.”
Mei Kuo, a Taiwanese student, attended International Night.
“The U of O has emphasized with this event how important its international students are and that they make it a world open school,” she said.
Because of a reporter’s errors, two students were misidentified. Weronika Budak is president of the European Student Association, and Bryan Saxton is a journalism student. The Emerald regrets the errors.
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