Florida State University has a wide variety of students from all over the world. In 2014, Florida State received the “Higher Education Excellence in Diversity” (HEED) Award by INSIGHT Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity magazine in higher education. We house over 1250 international students from over 100 different countries. The large majority of the students come from China, Panama, India, Turkey, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, Lebanon and the United Kingdom. With such a big campus and over 32,000 undergraduate students it’s difficult to get to know everyone. Florida State University promotes cultural awareness and diversity and facilitates students’ abilities to engage and learn about different cultures.
Florida State University will be hosting the 2015 International Bazaar on February 21, 2015 at the Center for Global Engagement. The International Bazaar is a free event that allows different cultural community groups to come together and share their heritage. This event allows students the opportunity to learn and experience different cultures and traditions from around the world all in one place. There will be table displays from various student organizations as well as performances from different cultural groups.
The event is open to the community so you do not have to be an FSU student to attend. In addition to the performances and displays, the International Bazaar will also be featuring a variety of food samplings from all over the world. People will be able to purchase a ticket, the day of the International Bazaar, for $5.00 to create their own plate of delicious international cuisine. The event will be taking place at the Union Ballrooms from 2 to 5 PM. Participation from International groups is accepted and encouraged but must be pre-arranged ahead of time. You and your group can either participate in the form of a dance or a performance native to the group. Representation through a traditional food or beverage is also accepted as a form of participation in the Bazaar.
The Center for Global Engagement also offers other events such as international coffee hour every Friday from 5 to 6 PM, where you can try different coffee from all over the world and interact with international students. The Global Café inside of the Globe offers a variety of cuisine every other Friday for the affordable price of $7.00 per person. The Globe also hosts the Intercultural Program Series which is intended to engage people in activities that are significant to other individual’s countries and cultures. In the past some of these programs have included: Japanese Tea Ceremony, Oktoberfest pretzel-making, Chinese Dumpling & Calligraphy workshop, a lesson in making Panamanian Carimañolas and dancing lessons, Caribbean Carnival, an Indian Dance workshop, and a traditional Persian New Year.
If you have never attended any one of these events I encourage you to come out and attend the International Bazaar or any other one of these events and make new friends. Come out to learn, expand your horizons and immerse yourself in the cultures and traditions of others.
For more information regarding the International Bazaar or any upcoming events being held at the Center for Global Engagement, please contact Lena Papadopoulos. You can also visit their website.
Source: Florida State 24/7