The Scribe November 1, 2001

Around the World in 60 Minutes

By Xiaoping Wang

As part of this year's Fall Fest, International Student Services hosted an international cultural festival called "Around the World in 60 Minutes." Students from fifteen different countries set up display booths, dressed in traditional attire, and told their stories with books, pictures and food. Walking into the plaza, one was instantly dazzled by the strong festive atmosphere. National flags with big patches of color were present in front of each table. Located at the left corner of the plaza, the Korean table was an eye-catcher with four young Korean ladies dressed in beautiful bright pinks, grass greens and lemon yellows. Tshering, a student from Bhutan, a kingdom at the foot of Himalayas, was in her ultimate "turn-eighteen" dress-one with countless colors that takes years to make by hand. 

Mexican students, incorporating a Halloween taste, had in front of their table two big "straw men" with hats and funny faces. Thai students proudly presented their professionally executed promotional board titled "Amazing Thailand" with pictures of shining golden temples and the mythical river market.

The Egyptian table included a TV monitor playing popular Egyptian music videos (exotic but familiar) alongside big books of museums and pyramids. The Chinese table presented a vase of ancient craft, a reminder of Chinese history, and postcards of the city of Shanghai, a proof of modernity. Monica, from Germany, was telling her visitors that the first place in Germany they should go was Munich and handed out color copies of German maps to everybody she talked with.

With eyes amazed, the stomach could also find numerous destinations. Lucas, from the Czech Republic, was overbooked with his homemade cake. Ruchi, from India, was busy handing out her desert - a milky rice pudding after two other main entrees had ran out. Egyptian pita bread was accompanied by Chinese plum tea, and Macedonian candy was enjoyed with Korean Chap Chae (a starch noodle with vegetable and beef). Indonesian Es Cendol (Banh lot, Coconut milk and Avocado) was  sweet and icy and became a perfect cooler under the sun. The theme of this year's event was "Globally We Stand," suggested by project director, Vincent Vuldy, from France. It was a truly precious occasion on campus that different cultures and skin colors were fused in on such a density. Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims stand side by side; African, American, Asian and European adored the same spirit of happiness, tolerance and harmony under the same beautiful sky.