“Celebration of Cultures” of fall 2023 is celebrated Nov. 16, 2023. The event was hosted by the International Club and the Washburn Student Government Association. There were Koreans, Japanese, Germans, Nepalese, Paraguayans, Russians and Bangladeshis, Mexicans students who hosted their country table and shared their cultural values to participants.
Lada Pestrikova, French major, was occupied during the event, but she still relished the overall experience. She also shared her first international cultural exchange in the U.S. with a variety of cuisines.
“It was an honor for me to participate in such a festival and represent and present my country. We serve blends with different kinds of jam with turkey, and of course with sour cream and condensed milk as we usually eat in Russia.I didn’t have much time to try other food, but I liked the German sausages, some dishes by Paraguayan students and students from Bangladesh. Although the food from Bangladesh was very spicy for me, I enjoyed it,” Pestrikova said.
Pestrikova believes that such events provide invaluable opportunities for individuals to explore and appreciate diverse cultures and traditions. She expressed her strong hope that Washburn University will continue this tradition. By making it a recurring fixture, the university can foster a vibrant cultural environment for students and the community.
“I didn’t have much time to try other con other guys food but I very liked German sausages, some dishes by Paraguayan students and students from Bangladesh. […] And I think that these first these kinds of festivals are very important in all universities and communities because we can get acquainted with different cultures and their traditions” Pestrikova said.
Heidi Staerkel, associate director of international programs for student services, was extremely pleased with the event, especially the constructive interactions. She witnessed students of diverse backgrounds, including Americans, actively engaging with each other in an enthusiastic atmosphere.
“I tried some of the food from Nepal,and although it was spicy, I really liked it a lot. And if I hadn’t eaten a big lunch, I would have tried more things. But all the smells were great and the food looked delicious too. So I only tried that one thing but it was delicious.”
Despite only trying one Nepalese dish, Staerkel found it to be of good quality and flavor, which greatly impressed her. Staerkel also shared her feelings and how pleased she is about her students’ event.
“It was so great to see the interaction between many of our students and among each other, but also the American students that were there and there was just a lot of excitement. And I enjoyed it so much. I think it was a great success,” Staerkel said.
The diverse culture of an event like this will foster greater understanding between different cultures. In addition, the event is also an academic activity where people can freely ask questions and exchange ideas, breaking down barriers and fostering mutual appreciation.
Edited by Jayme Thompson and Aja Carter
