International banquet entertains and educates

By Kayla A. Swenson

The International Student Council hosted a banquet Friday in celebration of the many different cultures and ethnicities represented at Utah State University. The event was centered on foreign students and their heritage.

“The performances this year were definitely more diverse,” said Yuzhen Luo, a member of the International Student Council. “We implemented new dances like the Armenian dance that was not represented before.”

The Armenian dance was a slow dance that used hands and arms to convey a sense of sadness. The dance was performed in memory of those that died in the Armenian genocide. The night also featured performances highlighting Italy, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Taiwan and China.

Many of the performers are here completing study abroad programs. They are learning English and American culture.

“America has taught me how to be responsible,” said Mohammad Labani a foreign exchange student from Saudi Arabia. “Once I came here I had to clean for myself, I have to do my homework by myself. People that come here learn to be independent.”

Labani and other Saudi Arabian students performed four Arabic wedding dances at the banquet. They were dressed in the traditional thobe, a white tunic, accompanied with a red and white-checkered headdress called the gutra.

 Throughout the night international students introduced the audience to their country through song, dance and video presentation.

“It is intended to entertain but also educate our fellow Aggies,” Luo said.

One video prepared by the university ambassadors showed the ignorance that exists on campus. Ambassadors were featured asking satirical questions to international students, which demonstrated different stereotypes used at Utah State University. 

Some of the stereotypes were that all Asians look the same. A few comments were generalizations of Latin American culture such as the assumption that all Latinos like spicy food.

“It’s nice to broaden your mind and your knowledge of other cultures,” said Lois De Cordova a student from England.

Students in the International Student Council said the banquet was intended to bridge cultures and promote unity.

“This will help build a mutual understanding so that we can embrace our differences and have more fruitful conversations in our community and eventually live a diverse Aggie experience here at USU,” Luo said.

The night ended with a gourmet meal provided by University Catering Service. The menu included Dominican grilled chicken, Armenian salad, butternut squash curry and cheesecake for dessert.