Persephone Shon and Corine Erceg stayed up all night. But it wasn’t because the two International Student Association members were cramming for a test. They were putting the final touches on the script for International Night.
A celebration of international heritage and diversity from countries around the world begins today. International Week, the ISA’s largest event, will showcase people, exhibits and activities from Africa, North and South America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. ISA intends for the week to bring awareness about the University’s international community to students, faculty and community members. The week will culminate Sunday during the 38th annual International Night, which will take place in the EMU Ballroom.
“International Week is to get everyone pumped up about International Night, and every continent will have their own day,” ISA Publicity Director Kimberly Franklin said. “This is their way of giving something back by sharing their culture with the community.”
Franklin said while only 10 percent of the campus comprises international students, those students want to use the week to show the campus their international identity and culture.
Bai-Yu, co-director of the ISA, said the ISA chose this year’s theme, “Get Connected,” to suggest students connect with each other through technology. The Internet, chat rooms and messenger services bring people from around the world closer together, she said.
ISA co-director Andreas Georgiades and a team of ISA volunteers worked all day Sunday preparing for International Week and International Night.
“I don’t think I’m allowed to say I’m tired,” Georgiades said. “I get energy from them. I was impressed to see how willing people are to work like that.”
Georgiades said in his native country, Cyprus, people observe a religious custom and habit of not working on Sunday. But with International Night less than a week away, Georgiades said he can’t help but be committed, even if it means working on Sunday.
He added the upcoming events offer students firsthand experience — culture and information they can’t always find in books.
A total of more than 200 volunteers will help make International Night a success, and food from 25 different counties will be served. This week’s events are part of a $19,000 project for which ISA members have spent countless hours preparing.
International Week kicks off today with an international parade of students, who will march down 13th Avenue dressed in traditional clothing from their native countries. The promenade will end in the EMU Amphitheater, where Africa Day will begin.
Dipa Malakar, from Nepal, and Jennifer Huang, from Taiwan, are the co-directors for International Week. People who may not have a lot of experience with international cultures will be introduced to everything from African drumming to a workshop on Chinese painting, they said.
This year’s celebration differs from last year’s because there will be a performance on Tuesday, Americas Day, by the Native American Student Union. Asia and Pacific Day, on Wednesday, will feature international storytelling, including Japanese folk tales.
For more information about the week’s schedule of events, contact the ISA at 346-4387.