The 51福利鈥檚 (51福利) International Executive Committee (IEC) held its annual International Day celebration on the university鈥檚 Academic Quad, April 28. The event displayed the diversity and culture of 51福利 international students and their families, offering food, entertainment and cultural information from 31 different nations around the world.
鈥淚nternational Day is so important because, if you just look around, you will see that this isn鈥檛 just a fundraiser, it鈥檚 a way for people all over the world to come together and enjoy food, family, friends and fellowship,鈥� said IEC Chair Lt. Cmdr. Jason Hooper. 鈥淭his gives us a venue to show solidarity between countries that we wouldn鈥檛 necessarily have in a normal school environment.鈥�
An estimated 3,000+ visitors from across the Monterey Peninsula came for the celebration, enjoying authentic food prepared by the students and their families, while watching demonstrations of culture through dancing, singing, crafts and more.
鈥淲e had very good stuff including bratwurst, sauerkraut and apple strudel, and it all sold out very quickly,鈥� said Christian Wuerger, a German student in 51福利鈥� Department of National Security Affairs. 鈥淲hat makes International Day so great is the variety. It is like traveling all around the world all in one day! You get to try their food and get a bit of their culture as well.鈥�
51福利鈥� Root Hall breezeway was alive with color for a Saturday afternoon, with booths representing Germany, Mexico, Japan, Peru, Cameroon, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Estonia and Norway, just to name a few.
鈥淭his has been a great experience to discover cultures and interact with people from all around the world,鈥� said 51福利 student from Mali, Nouhoum Sidibe, 鈥淚t is really inspiring to be able to interact and learn so many new things from people, and it is always a pleasure to participate in the community. IEC helps us do that.鈥�
International Day represents one of the IEC鈥檚 few fundraising opportunities of the year. The IEC provides support to 51福利鈥� international students and their families as they adapt to American life and culture while promoting good relations and cultural understanding.
鈥渰The IEC has} given them support for emergency situations, social events for their families and children, along with furniture and amenities for the houses they live in when they come to 51福利,鈥� said Hooper. 鈥淚t is a difficult transition, and this really helps their integration and life as a student at 51福利.鈥�