Arts & Culture
American and international students joined the UW-SP community for a lively night of eating and entertainment at the 39th Annual International Dinner.
International Dinner a local sensation: University of Wisconsin -Stevens Point community members a taste of globalized hospitality
The Pointer
lgern177@uwsp.edu
Glancing back through the ages on ancient civilizations, hospitality was a fundamental and even sacred aspect of many societies. Now, in the midst of modernity and capitalism, where even the salted peanuts on plane rides have a price tag, such practices may seem archaic and rare.
But this past Saturday, April 4 at the 39th Annual International Dinner, members of the International Club and volunteers redefined this notion of hospitality with enough vivacity to make Stevens Point residents feel like guests in their own hometown.
The event, held in the Laird room of the Dreyfus University Center, featured a wide variety of ethnic cuisine and entertainment from cultures around the globe. The theme, “global crossroads,” underscored the idea of a global connection that binds all people on a fundamental level.
Volunteers were an integral part of the event, helping with cooking, entertainment, set-up, hospitality and video and photography of the event. These individuals met weekly since February to organize and plan for the 300 guests.
“This is just a great way to get in touch with the Stevens Point community,” International Club’s president Won Jun Cha said in a previous interview. “It’s great that so many people want to help out.”
One volunteer, Fangyuan Chen, who is from China, said the event has become an established tradition in Stevens Point.
“People come to promote different cultures,” she said. “Stevens Point is a good place for it because it’s small and people can connect here… I think it makes more international students want to come here.”
Cha said over the years the event has expanded in terms of attendance and volunteers.
“In the past, there was not as much involvement on the part of American students,” he said. “Now, students from the Peace Lutheran Center, SGA and the Black Student Union have been helping more.”
Jeffrey Jankowski, one such American volunteer who is also a member of both the Peace Lutheran Center and International Club, said the event was a good way to promote diversity on campus.
“Wisconsin is not really diverse as a whole,” he said. “The dinner gives people an opportunity to experience such a diverse group of cultures, taste food and meet different people … It’s eye-opening to other cultures.”
The meal itself was both a manifestation of hospitality and a celebration of diversity. Dishes on the menu were from countries as far ranging as Korea, France, Japan, India, Peru, Thailand, Australia and many more. International Club members and community and student volunteers did all of the cooking for the dinner.
Some featured menu items included kimbap and ginko seeds from Korea, caviar crackers from France, Gyoza from Japan, shrimp crackers from India, Causa Rellena from Peru, glass noodles and a three-flavor salmon dish from Thailand, Hmong spring rolls, beef bibimpab from Korea, meatballs from South America and Lamingtons from Australia.
A vegetarian menu, consisting of vegetarian bibimpab from Korea and vegetarian masala with prata from India, was also offered.
After guests were fully satiated on these exotic dishes, a short intermission took place before 12 entertainers took the stage to perform for three-to-four minutes apiece. This portion of the evening was open to the public.
The entertainment sets included an International Club lip-dubbed music video, a Japanese dance called Soran-Bushi, an Irish song called “Millionaire’s Hoedown,” a Chinese dance in celebration of the Chinese Torch Festival, a Hmong song called “Can’t Tell What’s in my Heart,” Brujera salsa from the Caribbean, a Bangra dance from India, a Peruvian skit called “Virgins of the Sun,” a Thai dance called “Rum Teap Bun Theong,” a Chinese song called “Fly for You” and a Columbian dance called “CUMBIA: La Pollera Cholera.”
Also included in the night’s events was a flag of nations showing, a fashion show and a silent auction.
Jarunee Chaiprapar from Thailand was one International Club member in charge of the silent auction, which sold items foreign students brought back from their native countries.
Some goods featured in the auction included carved wooden owls called treetop buhitos from Peru, a Thai silk coin purse, postcards from Japan, silver earrings from Kenya, a handmade bowl from Vietnam and a Tague hummingbird ornament from Ecuador. Proceeds from the auction will all go toward next year’s International Club events.
For more information on UW-SP’s International Club, its members, affiliates and the events it sponsors, visit the Web Site at http://www.uwsp.edu/stuorg/iclub/adv.html
