International culture celebrated at international expo Sunday

More than 350 students attended the International Expo which promoted multicultural diversity within the community.

Twenty-one countries were represented by way of decoration, performance and international food Sunday, April 1 in the Bovee University Center Rotunda.

President of the International Student Organization Rashed Mamun said the event cost approximately $5,500.

“The main intent of our event was to create awareness,” said Mamun, a graduate student from Bangledesh.

Graduate student Alber Sanchez said he wasn’t planning on attending the expo, but was called by a friend and changed his mind.

Sanchez said he enjoyed his time there, but especially the dances and booths set up for each country.

“I didn’t see as many gringos (Americans),” Sanchez said. “It would have been good to see more.”

Sanchez said about 80 percent of the crowd was composed of international students.

The 21 countries represented included Bangladesh, China, Canada, Ethiopia, India, Sri Lanka, Mexico, United States, Yemen, Palestine, Jordan, Thailand, Nigeria, Japan, Indonesia, Germany, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.

“I’m glad to work with international students, faculty and stuff,” Mamun said. “It’s a good experience for my life to work with diversity.”

There are approximately 600 international students at Central Michigan University, Mamun said.

Mamun said he hopes to make the international expo a yearly event, promoting multicultural awareness within the community.

The expo was sponsored by the Student Budget Allocation Committee, the Office of International Affairs and Marketing and Hospitality Services Administration.