International week brings culture to campus
by Shayla Durrett, staff writer
November 18, 2009 2:07 PM
International students congregated around tables in the main quad
displaying tokens from their countries on Nov. 18 as part of SF
State’s 10th annual International Education Week to celebrate the
diversity of SF State.
"International Education Week is an opportunity to recognize
contributions of international students and visitors to our campus,"
said Marilyn Jackson, assistant director of the Office of
International Programs. Students from all over the world, including
Pakistan, Tajikistan and Armenia, gathered at the "Culture Fest" in
Malcolm X Plaza to showcase their culture with tables covered with
books and decorative items from their country.
"I want students to know about our history and culture," said Nairi
Kouyoumdjian, founder of the Armenian Student Association. "There’s 50
Armenian students on campus and as a minority we should be
represented."
Students from Afghanistan, dressed in traditional Afghanistan
clothing, displayed the Afghan flag and phrases in Afghan
languages. They played music and videos from the capitol city of
Kabul.
"People always think there’s war in Afghanistan, but we want to show
students our culture," said Suhaila Nishat, who moved from Kabul to
the United States in 2000.
Students from Turkey also used the event as a way to eradicate
misconceptions about their country.
"There are many false beliefs about the language and culture of Turkey
and I want to educate people on basic things," said Nefise
Kahraman. "It’s important to be with other nations on this day."
Traditional dancers from India, Iran and Armenia also performed dances
and traditional musical performances.
SF State dance student Karolyn Wyneken turned the plaza into her stage
as she belly danced in a traditional two-piece bellydancing outfit for
a crowd of students and professors.
The dancers were brought to SF State through International House, a
program of the College of Humanities that brings different cultures
together to learn about the diversity of different regions in the
world.
A group of students protesting the budget cuts marched through the
plaza as an Iranian performance started. The two dancers waited for
the protestors to march through before they began.
A dancer from Mumbai performed a Bollywood dance inspired by Indian
classical and folk music.
International Education Week was started in the United States during
fall 2000 as part of Bill Clinton’s initiative that called for an
international education policy in the country.
"SF State is deeply committed to promoting internationalism on campus
and preparing knowledgeable and competent graduates to lead the way in
a diverse and changing world," Jackson said.
» E-mail Shayla Durrett @ [email protected]
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