University of Lynchburg will celebrate International Education Week from September 25 to 29, offering a series of public events that celebrate the cultures of the College’s international students, faculty, and staff. With the exception of meals held in Burton Dining Hall, all events are free.
The International Food Festival will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, September 25, in Memorial Ballroom at Hall Campus Center. This popular event will feature food from more than 20 countries, along with a traditional, Korean drum performance and Gujarati (Indian) song and dance. Campus community members will prepare traditional recipes from cultures and countries they are from or have connections to.
On Tuesday, September 26, a study abroad fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the West Room at Drysdale Student Center.
There are several events planned for Wednesday, September 27, including a passport acceptance fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Drysdale’s Flynn Multicultural Center, and a Latin-themed dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in Burton Dining Hall. Local Latin and jazz band Quintana will perform during dinner.
From 11 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, in the Drysdale hallway, people can learn to make paper cranes for the 1,000 Origami Cranes Challenge. In Japanese culture, cranes are a symbol of good luck and peace. Japanese legend says if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, you’ll be granted a wish.
“I thought making origami cranes can create a global community together and this might be an easier way for students, faculty, and staff to learn and appreciate a different culture, in this case, Japanese,” said Chisato Tada, international student advisor and a native of Japan.
“This also sends a powerful message that what we wish for our lives is pretty much the same — peace, love, good luck, [being] free of discomfort, etc. — and different cultures have different means to accomplish those wishes.”
On Thursday, September 28, there will be an origami crane making workshop from 1 to 6 p.m. in Memorial Ballroom, and a sushi dinner will be held in Burton Dining Hall from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
International Education Week wraps up Friday, September 29, with the completion of the 1,000 Origami Cranes Challenge, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Drysdale. Henna tattooing also will be held in the Drysdale hallway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Latin dance lessons will be held in Memorial Ballroom.
For more information, contact Chisato Tada at tada_c@lynchburg.edu or (434) 544-8688.