I love international celebrations! I do. In the schools I have attended in the Europe and the U.S., International Day or International Night event was something I always looked forward to. Eating food from different countries, meeting new friends, learning the cultures, watching presentations, are few of the things I love about being around people not of my race.
When my Iranian friend told me about the New Mexico State University Las Cruces International Festival celebration, I became excited. Since it will be my first year of attendance then it’ll be fun, so I thought.
But…the NMSU International Day Celebration underwhelmed. Simply put.
Don’t get me wrong. I truly loved the limited cultural presentations. But there should have been more of them.
Thanks to the Greek dancers who entertained the audience in between breaks. However, it would have been more exciting when you see other cultural presentations as well.
Or why not project a video or a slide presentation introducing the different countries represented by the international students of NMSU?
The efforts of the international students and volunteers who decorated their respective booths should be commended. Look at how they made the displays attractive to visitors.
Aside from the few pick foods, where are the ‘real food’ from other cultures that visitors could taste? Honestly, where? The event was supposed to be the best time to showcase favorite delicacies and international cuisines.
If the Convention Center did not allow food to be served inside the hall, then why would organizers even allow the important event to be there?
There was a flood of visitors at midday and I noticed most of them to be very inquisitive. I am certain they’d be willing to pay for food prepared by various countries for the sake of experience. I had tasted so many foreign cuisines by attending international student events in the past! I would have loved to experience it again, there at the NMSU International Day.
What else can be improved?
Maybe a presentation of cultural dresses or national costumes will be a good idea. There is already a wide platform, utilize it. Encourage students and all participants to wear their cultural dresses to the event. Today, there were only few who were doing it — the Koreans for one, the Sri Lankans too.
In all the International Days I attended, the president of the University/School/College was always present. Apart from giving a short speech, the president was there to enjoy the day with the rest of the international students. Isn’t this one of the ways to show how the head of the academic institution should value the minorities in the university?
I hope that by next year everything in the celebration will be worth remembering.
