Expo Showcases Global Cultures, Delicacies
Flags flew large and the aroma of scrumptious cuisine crammed the air April 15 as nearly 30 distinct campus organizations celebrated their exceptional cultures by food and performances at the 2023 World wide Expo.
The Worldwide University student Affiliation, an firm that aims to foster local community among the intercontinental learners, and Office environment of World-wide Products and services, which aids worldwide Hoyas with visa and immigration-associated affairs, co-hosted the party, which showcased distinct cultures and ethnic groups from throughout the globe. Nations and areas represented integrated Greece, Ukraine, the Caribbean, Eritrea, Palestine, South Asia and France, among the lots of other people.
Alongside serving international dishes, the function showcased dance and new music performances from teams like GU Jawani, a bhangra dance staff the Vietnamese University student Affiliation, an affinity group for Vietnamese Hoyas the Hellenic Association, a neighborhood for Greek and Cypriot pupils and the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano, a pupil dance ensemble for standard Mexican ballet.
Chris Tengey (CAS ’26), a Ghanaian American who lived in Ghana for quite a few several years as a boy or girl, claimed functions like the World wide Expo are crucial in partaking in cultural conversations to embrace range at Georgetown University.
“You can go to an event and know folks have identical backgrounds,” Tengey informed The Hoya. “You can also study from other men and women and how their backgrounds have formed them.”
Scholar cultural and religious groups, tutorial departments and sports groups alike participated in the celebration at tables displaying a sample of their corner of the planet. For occasion, the Armenian University student Association (ASA) established up a table and shared Armenian foods.
ASA member Armen Asik (SOH ’25) claimed he appreciates spaces to categorical campus variety and reveal satisfaction in his Armenian identification.
“Georgetown’s a college that encourages a ton of multiculturalism, and it was great that we have been represented even although we’re a small club on campus,” Asik informed The Hoya. “There are not a ton of Armenians who go to Georgetown, but we’re incredibly proud to be Armenian.”
Lela Tolajian (SFS ’26), yet another member of the ASA, explained the very best section of signing up for the corporation is the Armenian local community she’s designed on campus.
“We do a whole lot of cultural occasions,” Tolajian told The Hoya. “We’ve gotten together and experienced food stuff, and absent to protests together.”
Kyryl Myronenko (SFS ’26), a member of the Ukrainian Modern society, stated he enjoyed sharing his country’s society at the event.
“Global Expo was almost nothing but a wonderful time on a Sunny Saturday on the Copley Lawn! At the Ukrainian Society’s desk, we experienced varenyky (classic dumplings), syrnyky (cheese pancakes), kompot (sweet beverage), Ukrainian candy, and a lot of far more,” Myronenko wrote to The Hoya.
Myronenko claimed food items was a critical channel for fostering connections and introducing learners to Ukrainian tradition.
“Through presenting cuisine, all learners engaged in intercultural dialogue and ended up ready to share with the scholar body some thing significant to their id,” Myronenko wrote. “It was a fantastic chance to meet up with new learners and spread the word about Ukrainian lifestyle!”
Tengey mentioned he hopes Georgetown will go on to foster intercultural dialogue to welcome new and present pupils, specifically people from abroad.
“I assume it is vital that Georgetown as an institution produces spaces where by people today of shade feel secure and come to feel in local community, primarily if they are coming from sections of the place or other spots of the planet where their society is extremely distinctive to them,” Tengey instructed The Hoya. “So it feels like household to them when they arrive listed here and can adapt a lot easier.”
