The University’s International Student Association kicked off International Week and Night 2011 yesterday, beginning a series of events that will explore different cultures through discussions, games, workshops, films and performances in celebration of the vast diversity of the nearly 2,000 international students on campus.
ISA started planning for the week in January to gear up for the impressive lineup of events that run through Sunday, ending with International Night on April 17.
“(IWN) is a tradition and one of the largest events on campus,” said Chrystal Shen, ISA Co-Director.
This Sunday’s grand finale will feature a dinner and performances ranging from Turkish Belly Dancing to Taekwondo. The night isn’t only for international students to appreciate their culture but also for the whole student body to enjoy.
“Lots of international students are already interested in international things, so I hope that more domestic students get interested and aware of the international community here,” said Alix Franco, ISA program coordinator.
Franco explained that this week’s purpose is to introduce the University to more diversity and give students the opportunity to learn about other countries and cultures.
All events are located in the center of campus. Today at noon in the Mills International Center there will be a Hope For Japan discussion, where Japanese students and faculty will talk about the recent tragic events in their homeland and how they have been impacted.
At 2 p.m. there will be games in the EMU Amphitheater, and at 7 p.m. there will be a showing of “L’Auberge Espagnole,” which means “The Spanish Apartment,” in 115 Lawrence. The movie is a comedy about exchange students from different countries learning to live together.
“This is a chance for people to see different cultures’ traditions and different society norms,” said Chi-hung Liao, ISA multimedia intern.
The schedule of the other events going on this week, including Bollywood dancing and music performances, are available at the Mills International Center or on the ISA Facebook page.
Shen explained that international students are not limited to those studying out of the country, but also include those who have traveled abroad.
“Even though I am a domestic student, I consider myself being international, and that’s why I found my place in ISA,” Shen said. “I believe there is people out there who will find something international about themselves.”
ISA allows students a way to explore that notion and embrace the different nationalities on campus. The International Week and Night can also entertain those who have never stepped foot out of Oregon.
“There are students who are not able to travel abroad because of financial reasons, so ISA is taking this chance to bring the world here for them,” Shen said.
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