SAC students and staff celebrated International Education Week Nov. 17-21, showcasing cultural diversity with food, dance and dialogue at events outside the Oppenheimer Academic Center and in the Empowerment Center.
At a “Parade of Nations/Global Village” event Nov. 17, students displayed national flags representing their ethnic and cultural backgrounds, shared traditional delicacies and performed dances. There were 12 countries represented, including Jamaica, Japan and Iran.
Students with Brazilian roots showcased items such as Brazilian flour and chocolates.
“It’s nice to see all the varieties of food, people and culture,” Hilkuia Costa, an English major, told the Sundial.
SAC Director of Student Life Dr. Jacob-Adian Martinez spoke at the event, explaining what International Education Week is and promoting a spirit of unity.
“If we could choose kindness over anything, I feel that we can come together all as one, ” Martinez said.
On Wednesday, students, guest speakers and staff gathered for “Internationalization at Home: Connecting Diasporas and Student Communities,” an event in the Empowerment Center that celebrated international students and brought people together to share food and culture.
Barrister Donatus Berinyuy, president of the Cameroonian Community In San Antonio (CAMCOSA), was a guest speaker at the event. He discussed the importance of feeling represented on campus.
“International students who come from different parts of the world have problems with integrating into the society,” Berinyuy said. “But when you create opportunities like this, it is easy for them to identify.”
Attendees shared stories of their cultures and paths to immigration and answered questions about cultural similarities and their lives in America.
“I really appreciate that you are uniting different cultures and helping them,” Thelma Chitalu, an international student from Zambia who studies nursing, told organizers at the event. “It’s really amazing to know that you can have other people from other places that you can relate to.”
With storytelling, food, music and open dialogue, the events revealed the shared hopes, challenges and connections that shape SAC’s community.
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