Photo: Lukia Costello
This past semester I have been trying to highlight some of the many ways to get involved at D’Youville College. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the International Fiesta for the third year in a row! I look forward to the night each year so I made sure to grab a few friends to see what the night had to offer for 2012!
The International Fiesta is part of International Education Week hosted by the International Student Club. The International Student Club has been an active in the D’Youville community since 2004 when it was started by Laryssa Petryshyn, the director of the International Student Office.
Photo: Lukia Costello
In the past the Fiesta happened in April, but this year we got to celebrate D’Youville’s 400 international students (from 25 countries) a little early! Each day of the week the International Student office collaborated with other offices and organizations to focus on a different region of the world. Campus Ministry, Career Services, Student Association, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsored the events this year. The line-up included a Study Abroad Student Panel, a presentation on Human Trafficking, a presentation on missions in nursing in the Dominican Republic and, of course, the International Fiesta.
The Fiesta!
Like many other events at D’Youville, the International Fiesta considers the “broke college student” and provides a free (& fun) night of food, global beats, cultural activities, and an opportunity to meet international students. As you can see from the pictures, we got to enjoy a fair share of ethnic food.
Those who attended the Fiesta got to enjoy foods from The Towne Restaurant, Tokyo Shanghai Bistro, Doctor Birds, Lonestar, Taste of Thai, and Wegmans. Photo: Lukia Costello
Even better – as we sampled food, several different cultures provided performances in traditional forms of dance. First were the Irish dancers from the Rochez Academy of Irish Dance. Seeing as I am not originally from an “Irish” community, this was quite entertaining for me, and by all the clapping, for everyone else, too.
Photo: Lukia Costello
Then we had a phenomenal performance by “Salsa for the Soul” and several students got to jump right in, after a little probing by Sarah, and a learn how to dance!
Photo: Lukia Costello
Next K-Fac mixed it up and gave us a Korean Folk Dance drumming experience.
Photo: Lukia Costello
The night continued with a performance by Illya’s Belly Dance Studio.
Photo: Lukia Costello
Followed by one of our very own students, Hasti Dave, performing a traditional Indian dance.
Photo: Lukia Costello
And the night finished off with DYC’s Moonjung Chung’s break dancing!
Photo: Lukia Costello
Not only were the dancing, music, and food great, but there were lots of activities to do in the crafts corner as well! At one station we could learn to make origami and in another we made “Carnivale” masks! The students and faculty who attended the Fiesta also had the chance to get Henna tattoos and I got a beautiful South Korean calligraphy artwork made for my dorm room!
All in all, my third International Fiesta experience was a success, and I am looking forward to my fourth!
Here are some more pictures from the Fiesta!
Did you have the opportunity to attend either the International Fiesta or any of the other events of International Education Week? What was your favorite performance? Do you plan on going again? Let me know what you think!