Ever heard of “Food Factor”? Not the
television show “Fear Factor,” but “Food
Factor.”
There are similarities between the two programs: On both shows the participants eat worms. But, during “Food Factor,” which will take place on campus this week, the worms will be covered with chocolate.
“Food Factor” is part of International Week, which begins today. The show will take place in the EMU Amphitheater on Friday at noon. Eight male and female candidates have been selected through Internet registration to participate in the competition, and the one in each group who eats everything on his or her plate first will win.
“I promise they will eat something (they have) never tasted before,” said Ryan Vise, spokesman for the International Student Association, who came up with the idea of “Food Factor.” “We won’t include some unhealthy stuff into our menu, but we are pretty sure people will be surprised when they peel off the chocolate cover.”
The organizers also have prepared samples for audience members to taste. Everyone who stops by the EMU’s main lobby from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday will have the chance taste them.
Besides “Food Factor,” there are other programs happening on campus this week. The International Week opening ceremony will be held in the amphitheater today at noon, and there will be art shows and exhibitions across campus Tuesday through Saturday. The week-long program will culminate Sunday night in the EMU Ballroom with a party featuring foods from various nations and will include exotic performances.
Some activities last the full week, but there are fewer activities this year compared with last year, ISA Co-Director
Georgia Mu said.
Last year, when she was working as a public relations officer for ISA, the group tried to host too many programs during the week, and few of the shows attracted big audiences, Mu said.
“We’d like to concentrate more on our core programs this year so we can make the few (programs) the best,” Mu said.
Another special aspect of this year’s International Week is the exchange between different student groups on campus, ISA Co-Director Ryohei Ishii said.
This week will include programs such as Earth Day celebrations hosted by the ASUO and the 30th-annual Lu’au hosted by the Hawaii Club.
“They helped us a lot last year, so we put them up there,” Ishii said. “It’s also part of the international cultural exchange.”
The biggest event of International Week, Sunday evening’s International Night is expected to be the biggest international gathering this year.
“As usual, the dinner of the International Night will still be everyone’s favorite,” Ishii said. The organizers have prepared a menu of more than 20 dishes that were popular at past international gatherings.
More than 700 people showed up at International Night last year, and Ishii expects the number of visitors to be close to or surpass that number this year.
“People can stop by any time on Sunday evening. I think our party will run late into the night. It’s never too late to have fun there,” Ishii said.
The tickets for Sunday’s International Night may be purchased at the EMU ticket office.