USU’s international students share culture
International students come to the United States as an ambassador of their country and want to share their country’s culture and beliefs, said international student Harsh Dubal at the annual International Banquet Saturday night.
The International Banquet began with performances by students from Japan and China, followed by an authentic dinner consisting of Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Italian and Korean delicacies. The program continued with musical and dance performances by international students from Peru, Dominican Republic, China, Thailand, India, Africa, Japan and Korea.
Vineet Lakhlani, public relations vice president of the ISC, said there are so many multicultural student organizations at USU, and this is the one event that brings them all together. It’s a summary of all the different cultures to showcase, Lakhlani said. The ISC general council, made up of nine ISC officers, organized the banquet, ISC President Syed Sayem said. The ISC officers meet once a week and the general council meets once a month to discuss the budget and upcoming cultural events, Sayem said.
“This was one of the best years for the banquet; there were very little problems with technology, food and the performances,” Sayem said.
He said this was also the biggest turnout this event has ever had with about 400 people attending and 40 to 50 people helping with food and performing.
Dubal said the culture is so integrated at USU, which is shown especially with all of the students from different cultures coming together for this banquet. It’s important that the international students represent their country in the best way they can, he said.
Lakhlani said, “Keeping an open mind and an open heart to different cultures and ways of thinking is very important. It helps a person grow into a better human being.”
This banquet and other cultural events will people to gain the needed understanding and appreciation of each other’s differences, Lakhlani said.
USU President Stan Albrecht commended international students for the time they put into this banquet and for representing their different countries and cultures so well on an everyday basis.
-monica.swapp@aggiemail.usu.edu