JENNA JAUREGUI
FEATURES EDITOR
CSUSM’s 8th annual International Fair took place on Thursday, April 14. Warm spring sunshine lit up University Hall Plaza as ethnic beats and the smell of exotic foods whet students’ appetites for culture. Dozens of international flags lining the staircases—emblems showcasing the CSUSM community’s diverse backgrounds—rippled in the soft breeze as people entered the fair.
Organized by the University Global Affairs Community and sponsored in part by the Office of Global Education, the International Fair allowed students and the general public to experience the food, dances, games, trivia and traditions of different countries without having to apply for a passport. Campus clubs and student organizations that celebrate specific cultures set up booths and colorful displays to celebrate different ethnic groups.
Extending a warm welcome to passersby, those behind the booths were eager to share information about different countries while enticing people to play games for prizes. The Hispanic honor society Sigma Delta Pi sponsored a game called Lo Tenia—Spanish Bingo. In another corner of the fair, a group of students played Da Cau, the national sport of Vietnam. To play, participants form a circle and kick a shuttlecock with their feet—a concept similar to playing Hacky Sack. ASI Camus Recreation maintained a spirit of international sportsmanship by showcasing a variety of sports from around the world. At the tables representing Colombia and the CSUSM Asian sorority KPDL, trivia games challenged students to test their knowledge of the geography, famous figures and cultural hallmarks of other countries.
Food was a popular feature at the fair—various organizations treated students to the unique flavors of bratwurst, carne asada, baklava, hummus, croissants, mole and mazo. Priority Christian Challenge celebrated with a variety of sheet cakes symbolic of each birthday month, a sweet reminder of life and global unity. Ethnic dancing took center stage as different groups performed to traditional music. Talented dancers representing Arab, Jewish, Filipino, Hispanic and Chinese cultures stomped, glided, and shook their way across the floor.
In light of the recent disasters in Japan that continue to affect many lives on a daily basis, several students sold T-shirts, hats and handmade origami to raise funds that will go towards relief efforts. One student, Mai, explained that even small donations make a big impact; reaching across country lines to help those in need can help save lives. Inspired by the Japanese fundraising efforts, Ryan Allen Kelly from Palomar Poets performed a spoken word poem to encourage selfless generosity and international unity:
“… For once in your life do something with purely good intention / It disappoints me you teach us that money and finance rules all / Because it doesn’t. It really comes from unity, / And we used to be part of a good community, / Representing the traits I believed to be true to me. / But we have lost touch with our basis; / We have lost partners with fellow races.”
A time to come together and appreciate different countries, the International Fair let students enjoy many traditional aspects of unique cultures. Building positive relations and appreciation for the global community are constant goals for CSUSM—a campus that celebrates multicultural heritage. Experiencing new world dimensions can help students understand and connect with peers in spite of cultural and geographical diversity.
Photos courtesy of Jenna Jauregui