CULTURAL AFFAIR 400 students gathered Friday night to share and discover cultural food, dance, clothing and traditions.

With tae kwon do and taiko drums, the Union Ballroom filled with music, dancing and laughter as nearly 400 students watched their fellow classmates perform a piece of their culture at International Night on Friday.
Students munched on samosas, Saudi Arabian salad and fruit kebabs while they clapped and cheered during performances. One performance featured a cultural showcase with international students representing their cultural attire with an “ao dai,” a Vietnamese garment made of silk, a Ghanian dress and contemporary and traditional clothes from Kenya.
Organizations from the university and community were invited to the event. A group of taiko drummers who practice at a Japanese church downtown brought their drums on stage and performed, raising their hands, looking upward and swinging their drumsticks left to right. The “spiritual” or “dramatic” taiko is performed during special occasions at temples, festivals and other celebrations, said Midori Ikematsu, taiko drummer and Japanese exchange student in international studies.
“It’s kind of fascinating,” said Yichen Cheng, a sophomore in electrical engineering, who came with his friends to the event. “You can learn a lot of stuff that you can’t learn in the classroom.”
Nancy Atieno, president of the International Studies Council and a senior in biology, said the International Center wanted to bring students together to bring awareness to the many cultures at the U and help international students feel at home.
“I feel like international students feel sometimes left out,” Atieno said. “So having this for them once a year is the least we can do for them. To have this many people, it just shows we’re inclusive of people.”
Grace Amisi, president of the African Students’ Union and an international student in political science, said the event provided knowledge about African cultures and informed African students there is a place for them on campus.
“The number of international students is increasing,” she said. “Every semester, there are African students. We want to show people our culture through dancing and let them know there is an African organization here.”
The African Students’ Union plans for its African Awareness Week later in the month in which members will discuss African society and politics.
Since November, the International Student Council has worked toward the event. Hue Pham, treasurer of the council, said it cost nearly $4,000.
The council expected about 250 people to attend, but tickets sold out fast.