"Awesome" International Day Hosts Food, Games, Dance, Music and Fashion

October 8, 2008

International Day's fashion show participants in regional garb

Exeter's International Day this past Sunday was bright, sunny, and a great way to get acquainted with the world. Many of Exeter's more-than-two-dozen international, regional and activist clubs got into the act – cooking regional goodies, dressing in traditional garb, and educating fellow students about native cultures.

Exeter students were joined by community members: faculty and staff families, and children from Big Sib Little Sib, an Exeter Social Service Organization club that unites Exonians with local adopted youngsters.  View a photo album...

"Every day we learn a little more about the diversity of the people at Exeter," says Ragini, a prep, who wore a traditional Indian outfit called a salwar kameez. "International Day was an awesome way for everyone to show how they are individual and different, and proud of it. So much of our lives at Exeter revolves around welcoming differences and being interested in people's heritages and cultures. International Day allowed us to do that together," adds Ragini. "I was really excited to wear my Indian clothes. I am very proud to be Indian and it gave me an opportunity to show my friends a little bit of my background and who I am." 

Entertainment and food were highlights of the day as students reveled in Wetherell quad, tasting homemade ethnic foods at student-run booths, and watching performances.
 
Thirteen clubs set up booths:

Afro-Latino Exonian Society (ALES)
Chinese Student Organization
German Club
Hindu Society
Indian Society
Inside North Korea (INK)
Japan-America Society
Korean Society
La Alianza Latina (LAL)
Origami Club
Taiwanese American Society
Tents of Hope
Thai Society

Six members of the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre performed for students on an outdoor stage. The annual fashion show let students show off traditional foreign garb.

Angela, a lower, jumped at the chance to wear her Korean dress and jacket called a hanbok. "What I enjoyed most about International Day was the diversity that was brought to campus. The day was important to me because it was an opportunity to show other people a side of me that they might not know," says Angela who trained in traditional Korean dance before coming to Exeter. "I loved going around to different booths set up by clubs, and tasting a variety of ethnic foods. It was also a great opportunity for students with different cultures to share it with others."

Prior to the start of International Day, students worked in the dining hall kitchens preparing regional goodies. "The kids did all the cooking, with my guidance and suggestions," explains Randy Robichaud, sous chef in dining services. "They were a great group. They made quesadillas, empanadas, chicken skewers and fried dough balls." Robichaud learned a few new tricks himself as the students introduced him to dishes such as "Asian Bubbles."

For Veda Robinson, dean of multicultural affairs, the day was a huge success. "Every time the day seems a bit long and I wonder 'why work at Exeter?' I remember days like this," she says. "Seeing the students from the various clubs working tirelessly to share their culture, and seeing so many Exonians who are not involved with the clubs in attendance, I know that I am in a community of learners. Every day I am given the gift of working with such amazing young people."

Exonians come from 41 states and 27 foreign countries. International Day was sponsored by Student Activities in conjunction with the Dean of Multicultural Affairs Office.

Interested in learning more?

Learn more about the diversity of Exeter's students…

Check out Exeter's international and cultural clubs…

Read about Christine Knapp, Exeter's international student coordinator, and Exeter's programs for foreign students…

Read about the ethnic food being served to great acclaim in Exeter's dining halls…

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