International Students Association holds week-long celebration
Photo: Derek Nipper
International Night will mark the finale of International Week at 6 p.m. this Saturday. At International Night, the International Students Association brings together the cultures celebrated during International Week:Latin American, Caribbean, North American, European, South Asian, Middle Eastern and East and South East Asian.
“The main goal of International Night is to allow the international students on campus to display their cultures to Drake students, faculty and community by performing dances, cooking food and displaying costumes,” said junior ISA Middle Eastern ambassador Moayad Baadhaim.
International Night begins with a skit and performances in Sheslow Auditorium from the South Asian Student Association, La Fuerza Latina, Malaysian Students Association, Chinese Student Association, African Students Association and Drake Tae Kwon Do.
The skit will be based on “Beauty and the Beast.” The main character is a made-up Student Senate president named Derrick Mason, who is a culturally insensitive young man that is turned into a beast by made-up first-year student Kathryn. If he doesn’t change his ways by the end of International Night, he will be a beast forever.
“I’m just excited for everyone to share in the wonderful experience I’ve had of learning about where people come from and making a lot of new friends,” said senior Rebecca Scott, who was invited by an ISA member to participate in a skit and a dance for North America.
After the performances, there will be a dinner featuring international food cooked by students in Parents Hall in Upper Olmsted. The meal will include Thai green curry, jerk chicken, escovitch fish, Indian corn curry, chocolate mousse and empanadas as well as other international food.
“We’re going to have food cooked by natives,” said junior ISA Food Committee Chair Taylor Harris. “It will be the best $10 meal anyone has had all year. Plus, it comes with entertainment.”
International Week consists of free events that raise awareness about different cultures by allowing students to participate in crafts and traditions of the areas that each day focused on. The ISA Executive Council and continental ambassadors choose the events. Earlier this week, Latin American, Caribbean, North American, European, South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures were celebrated.
Today, nkaba bead making in the Hubbell Breezeway will give students a chance to make traditional beaded necklaces and bracelets and sample African food. Tomorrow, there will be a pasar malam market in the Olmsted Breezeway to give students the experience of walking down an Asian street with stations promoting snacks and games from Eastern and South Eastern Asia. Nkaba bead making will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the pasar malam market will be from 3-5 p.m.
“This is ISA’s largest annual event, and this year we are collaborating with SAB to make it even bigger and better,” said junior ISA President Sunrita Sen.
International Night costs $10 for Drake students and $15 for people who aren’t affiliated with Drake. Tickets are on sale now.
