By Morgan Blythe
On Saturday, April 21, the University of Mississippi hosted an International Festival for students and members of the Oxford community alike to enjoy and experience different cultures from around the globe. These students were present and excited to share their home with their friends and fellow students here at the university. Through food, language, and culture, Ole Miss students had the opportunity to “travel” to over thirty different countries right on campus.
What made this event so special is that it allowed for students here at the university to show their friends about their countries and cultures. Ole Miss provided this experience for its students, and it was a fun and open environment for learning and fellowship.
In each room there were countries with tables prepared to share their culture with Americans and other international students. Traditional dress, food, and different cultures of these countries were displayed for a better understanding of what life looks a little bit like in these various places.
With performances from different organizations, the event always had entertainment for the participants that was something out of the ordinary. For example, the Korean Pop dance group performed a choreographed dance that exemplified today’s Korean pop culture. When asked what she thought of the International festival, Yunfang Guo said, “I enjoyed having the chance to know the world I live in and what goes on in every country. I want to improve myself when I found that I couldn’t answer the basic questions about other countries.” Yvonne is a Chinese student studying English here at the University.
This event was one of new experiences and excitement for internationals and Americans alike. The University of Mississippi provided a unique experience, and it is very appreciated. Shivani Chaudhary, a Nepali international student studying business said, “We could visualize a mini world on a single building. It was an amazing integration of cultures, cuisines, traditions, and unique but significant practices!”
The university also hosts celebrations of different countries throughout the year in which those at the university from these countries display their culture for their friends and any of those interested in their country’s culture.