Southern Oregon University’s International Student Association will be hosting International Week Monday through Thursday next week.
This year’s agenda promises four jam-packed days of cultural enrichment in the form of food, clothing, entertainment, and much more.
The week will kick off on Monday from noon to 2 p.m. as students, adorned in their country’s traditional clothing, parade from the Cascade Residence Halls to the courtyard of the Stevenson Union.
According to Elizabeth Morgan-Beesly, education abroad peer counselor, the parade is not just limited to international students, everyone is encouraged to walk. Once gathered in the courtyard students can help themselves to a free buffet of traditional dishes from around the world.
From 7:30 to 8 p.m. students will once again parade from Cascade to the SU with handmade paper lanterns for SOU’s Korean Lantern Festival, a smaller-scale version of the traditional Lotus Lantern Festival, which honors Buddha’s birthday and teachings.
On Tuesday, April 30 from 12 to 2 p.m. the Japanese Girls Festival will take place in the SU Arena, where attendees will be treated to free food, music, and traditional Japanese outfits which everyone is encouraged to try on and have their picture taken in. People will also have the opportunity to learn how to write their names in Japanese.
The Indian Color Festival from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the SU Courtyard will offer a vibrant conclusion to the day’s festivities. The event, modeled after the Holi Festival in India, celebrates the universal triumph of good over evil and rejoices in the love and elation among people that follows. As is tradition, natural-based powders of many different color will be rubbed on people, so attendees are advised to wear clothes they don’t mind getting colored.
Wednesday, May 1 will feature an International Bazaar from noon to 4 p.m. in the Rogue River Room of the SU. Traditional clothing, jewelry, and a plethora of souvenirs from all over the world will be sold here, accompanied by a free buffet.
Concluding International Week on Thursday, May 2 will be an International Show in the Music Recital Hall from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Students will perform their traditional cultural dance, songs, and more in this enriching, educating and entertaining show.
“It’s a great opportunity to see how other cultures celebrate in their home, and now they can share it with us,” said Morgan-Beesly.