International Club Dinner Emphasizes Diversity

Over 300 tickets were sold in a recording-breaking ten days for the 45th International Dinner on Saturday, April 18 by the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point’s International Club.

Attendees bidding on items. Photo by Allison Birr.

Attendees bidding on items. Photo by Allison Birr.

Various University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point students, community members, staff and faculty attended the annual dinner. The theme was “one world, infinite festivals.” Each of the 18 tables had one festival associated with it.

“The officers work very hard and learn a lot about teamwork and collaboration, but also about working independently and taking initiative,” said Melissa Murray, club adviser and International Student Success Adviser. “We are lucky to have such a supportive community who values events such as International Dinner.  We are also fortunate to work with wonderful professional staff members in Dining Services who also help make this even possible.”

Students and community members represented different countries by wearing traditional clothes.The social hour for the dinner began at 5 p.m., which consisted of a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres, like tequenos, aloo tikki, tandoori chicken, spring rolls and pastelzinho. During social hour, the club held a silent auction.

Vice Chancellor Al Thompson gave a speech addressing the importance of diversity and how it contributes to UWSP.

International Club President Mostafa Alabed spoke briefly, acknowledging advisers, officers, sponsors and volunteers who made the night possible.

Photo by Allison Birr.

Photo by Allison Birr.

“More than 100 students have helped in making this event succeed,” Alabed said. “I cannot tell how delightful it is to see so many students from different cultural backgrounds working together harmoniously.”

Dining Services catered the dinner with recipes and help from officers, staff, faculty and volunteers, and each dish was authentic.

Officers’ danced, paying tribute to various countries by dancing to their native songs. Performances included singing in multiple languages, acting to Grimm Brother fairy tales, traditional Saudi Arabian dancing, Bollywood dancing and modern Korean drum performance, which all proved to be the event’s highlight.

“The International Dinner was a wonderful experience, and it was great to try different authentic food and watch traditional performances,” said Cintya Bocangel, social work major.

 

Riddhi Gandhi

Reporter

rgand912@uwsp.edu

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