While spending my days earning a degree from Indiana University each fall I would attend IU's Culture Fest, which took place during Welcome Week (the first week back to school, before classes are in session). It was something I always looked forward to, as the celebration of cultural diversity featured live music, free food, and lots of people!
One of my favorite parts about the festival was just that- the people! It could've been everyone was just happy to be eating free food. It could've been because everyone was (for the most part) new to campus, and most of the crowd was interested in making new friends, but the people were always warm, welcoming and eager to get to know one another. I made some great friends from around the world at the IU Welcome Week CultureFest! One with roots in Lebanon, one from Pakistan, one from Brazil, one from Jamaica, and a few from Italy and Japan!
Over the course of the following few months I learned a lot from these new friends. The Italians shared some of their favorite recipes with me, I played some of the best tennis matches with the girl from Pakistan, heard about what happens after being bitten by a monkey in the Amazon from the girl from Brazil. The list could go on of all I learned from these great individuals! I am lucky to have known/know them.
Some of them I keep in touch with, others, like the girls from Japan, I lost touch with after they returned home. None the less, they all helped make great memories. Hopefully, we will one day be reunited in the spirit of travel!
I am so excited to see that Valpo will now be hosting a cultural festival! The Valparaiso International Center, a not-for-profit organization to promote global awareness and local support, will be hosting the festival with their Grand Opening on September 19th from 10a - 8p at 309 N. Lincolnway. The day will feature world flavors, art, yoga, henna, dance, and world music! Also performing will be the Planetary Blues Band, one of my absolute favorite local bands.
If you're interested in learning more about the VIC, you can contact Candace Shaw at 219-263-9655 or by emailing thevic.valpo@verizon.net.