Diverse disco dancin’
Calkins Hall’s Terrace Lounge transformed from a cozy student hangout to an international discotheque.
Homemade paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, red and black balloons decorated the walls and a disc jockey on the dance floor took song requests Saturday night for the International Club’s International Dinner and Disco.
More than 60 people went to Calkins to hang out with friends and sample a variety of ethnic foods from all over the world.
“When we were originally planning this event we asked ourselves, ‘What two things bridged all cultures?’ Music and food,’” said Calkins Residence Hall Director Cathleen Warner.
The International Dinner and Disco, she said, gives the 14 international exchange students living in Calkins Hall this semester a chance to get together with other students and share cultures.
“This year we were fortunate to have a large influx of international students in our hall and we wanted to find a way to recognize these students and get them involved,” Warner said.
Several Mount Pleasant area restaurants, as well as members of the International Club, supplied food that represented Japan, China, Korea and India.
Students also showed off their dance moves to a diverse selection of music from various cultures.
“I love that so many people turned out for this event,” said Miranda Crawford, Indian River sophomore and Calkins Hall Council president. “I think it’s the loud music that draws the people in.”
Haslett freshman Timothy Matsudo said he attended the event to get a feel for other cultures.
“This event shows people that there is more food out there than the typical foods we are all used to,” he said. “Some of the food is new and interesting and fun to try.”
Trenton senior Erin Mullens said the Chinese food had some of the more popular samples, including crab rangoon and egg rolls.
Orgil Zorigtbaatar, a student from Mongolia, said it was great to talk with people from so many different nationalities and cultures.
“It gives us all a chance to get together with our friends and to have fun,” Zorigtbaatar said.
Nyamjargal Myagmar, a senior from Mongolia, said she was impressed others were thinking of the international students.
“This was so nice because I have only been here a little while and I have spent it studying,” Myagmar said. “This was the first time we have had a chance to hang out together.”
