Collegio Online

Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: Aaron Anders Costumed Japanese students perform music at the International Food and Culture Fair, held on Saturday, March 8, at Memorial Auditorium. Organizers say more than 500 people attended.

Media Credit: Aaron Anders Saudi Students Association members ask visitors to try their food during the Food and Culture Fair, sponsored by the International Student Association.

Media Credit: Aaron Anders James Njau, junior in biology management from Kenya, serves food from his homeland to visitors at the International Food and Culture Fair.

The International Student Association held its sixth annual International Food and Culture Fair on Saturday, March 6, at Memorial Auditorium. The fair lasted from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring cuisine from more than 10 countries.

Admission was free for all but samples of food were sold for 50 cents a ticket. Crafts like traditional Indian scarves and names written in Chinese calligraphy were also sold.

Organizers say more than 500 people came to the fair, compared to the usual number of about 200. A diverse group of people attended, from the Saudi Arabian table in traditional clothing and headdress to children with their parents and the elderly at the tables sampling the food.

Some people came because they heard the event advertised on the radio.
"I'm from Joplin and came because it sounded like fun," said Katie Waddell. "I just think the interactions with the international students are cool because you don't always get that."

The fair also featured traditional music by drummers and singers in their native languages. A fashion show of customary robes and dresses was also among the events.

The Malaysian Student Association met about four weeks ago to start its planning and had a meeting every week since in preparation for the event. Members said they were getting a good response.
"Lots of people have come up and the Limau Ais is selling fast," said Edina Sakthilingam, Malaysian Student Association president. "It's basically like a lime juice, or our lemonade."
One PSU professor said he came because he had a lot of international students and wanted to support them.

"It's nostalgic for me because I used to teach in Paraguay and the food here is so similar," said Joey Pogue, assistant professor in communication. "It's a really nice thing. I think it's good to have this in the Midwest and learn outside of our own culture."

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