On Wednesday Nov. 15, the Center for Global Engagement and the United Students of the World Club hosted the World Fair, where 21 tables representing countries such as India, China, and Korea were set up with cultural décor, food and activities.
“This is a student-driven and student-centered event, so it gives the students an opportunity to showcase their culture,” Associate Provost for Global Engagement Christina Sanchez said.
The World Fair, which was part of International Education Week at California Lutheran University, commemorated the cultures represented by students on Cal Lutheran’s campus and prepared students to be part of a global society.
Sophomore and student worker at the CGE Avya Pandhi is the lead international peer mentor and helped plan the event. Pandhi worked at the table for India, where students wrote poems in almost 20 languages and organized dances.
“It’s an amazing, eye-opening experience. It connects you to your own self in a way, and connects you to different parts of the world that you don’t know,” Pandhi said. “You learn something new and I think that’s brilliant.”
Students were able to try free samples of food from many of the international tables. Junior and Palestine table Participant Maddy Canty said it was nice to see all the different kinds of food.
“The shawarma is pretty universal with all the Middle Eastern cultures. The most traditional [to Palestine] is probably za’atar, which is a seasoning with thyme, oregano, and coriander,” Canty said.
Global Studies major and junior Malcolm Shroyer said a highlight of the event was seeing all the different countries and the cultures of the countries represented by the students.
“The students are actually from the countries at the tables, so that makes it very interesting and it really is an international event,” Shroyer said.
Pandhi said it was interesting to see how many students have similar cultures and ideas on opposite sides of the world, and said it was cool to see live performances of students representing their country.
Sanchez said the event has fluctuated in size over the years, and that the World Fair has gotten somewhat smaller in recent years. Despite it being smaller, Sanchez said it was nice to be able to come together in a marketplace-type environment.
“I’ve heard stories from the past director for international students and scholars who was here for 32 years that the event used to be in the gym and was a big event,” Sanchez said.
In the future, Sanchez said she hopes they can build the World Fair back up to a much larger scale event.
