International students bring their homes to campus
Sihang ZhangMore than 15 different cultures were represented in the Bovee University Center Sunday.
Youyou Deng is one of the many international students attending Central Michigan University, and was just one of many who were in attendance at the International Expo at the UC Rotunda Room.
The China junior is a member of the China Club at CMU, which hosted one of the largest stations at the expo.
Tables were lined up and featured all types of Chinese games, fashion accessories, food and even a station where people could practice Chinese calligraphy.
"We have all sorts of stations, as well as fundraising," Deng said. "There are over 56 different ethnic groups in China, and many of them are represented at these tables."
The expo was held for most of the afternoon and organized by the International Club. A total of 15 countries were represented, along with several other clubs and organizations devoted to spreading intercultural awareness.
There were tables lined with ethnic food and there were performances throughout the day, including a tae kwon do demonstration and singing. Visitors could also buy items at international bazaars.
Indonesia junior Gabriela Nurida, president of the International Club, said that the annual event has always been critical to the club.
"It's to make people more aware of diversity on campus, as well as the International Club," she said. "A lot of people have shown up, I think we hit the number that we targeted."
Besides countries ranging from Japan to Nigeria, other organizations were also present at the expo.
"We are trying to build international relations," said Larry Collins, a member of Range Rider for the International Relations Council of the Mount Pleasant area. "It's important to promote international understanding."
The council is made up of 20 members and has worked with several exchange programs around the world, including ones in Japan, Chile and Russia.
"It's a department on campus that offers classes to students learning English," said Julie Feldkamp, a temporary faculty member in the English Language Institute.
The English Language Institute works with foreign students who are new to the English language.
"Most of them come with the ability to speak it in a year," she said
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