The African Students Association (ASA) and the International Students Association (ISA) presented an opportunity for students to experience other cultures at their International Showcase on Nov. 17.
According to the ACU website, there are 51 states and territories and 41 nations represented among the 4,544 students.
At the beginning of each fall semester, the first Moody Chapel shows a ceremony of students carrying flags of these states and nations. Through student organizations, international students are able to get involved and share their culture through different productions and events.
On the evening of Nov. 17, ASA and ISA presented a conjoined showcase in the Chapel on the Hill, allowing students to learn about different cultures. Circling the room, tables were set up with items and information from countries such as Mexico, Honduras and China.
“It’s supposed to show uninformed students the diverse cultures represented by others at ACU,” said Yves Ngenzi, sophomore engineering major from Rwanda and ASA secretary.
To kick off the event, officers from both organizations introduced themselves and the students who volunteered to represent their homes. Nico Ross, freshman marketing major from Southlake, and Jael Morel, freshman digital entertainment technology major from Honduras, began the entertainment with a Honduran/Guatemalan guitar and song duo while Annie Yao ended it with a spirited, flowing Chinese dance, showing two diverse acts.
“Diversity is pointless unless it is paired with inclusion,” said Arnold Yanni Charles, junior political science major from the United Arab Emirates and ISA treasurer. “We want our international students to showcase their cultures to ACU so everyone can witness and participate in true diversity.”
After the entertainment, attendees snacked on multicultural foods and revisited the information tables. At the end of the event, two ASA students and two international students joined a panel discussing their home countries and their transition to life in the United States.
Kali Banda, junior interior design major from Cedar Park and ASA president, said the event showed a great attendance but lacked fresh faces.
“We advertise as much as we can through posts and recommendations through friends,” Banda said. “By spreading the dates through word of mouth, we are working to make sure there are faces to put with the names of our organizations.”
