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STUDENTS
LOCAL
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International Affairs
Parade starts International Week’s diversity celebration
Students represented 12 nations at a parade Monday with flags and
native garb.
The Shorthorn staff
The Shorthorn: Michelle Proksell
Biochemistry senior Phong Vu stands outside the Fine Arts Building
with the Vietnamese flag during Monday’s parade. This is the
29th year the International Student Organization has sponsored this
event to kick off International Week.
International Week, a celebration of campus diversity, began Monday
in front of Nedderman Hall with a parade of students carrying flags
and wearing attire from their native countries. The parade crossed the
bridges and ended in the University Center’s Bluebonnet Ballroom,
where a Brazilian samba band led by percussion instructor Jim Yakas
played.
Janet Soo, who carried the Canadian flag, said the band and route across
the bridges were new to the parade. The social work graduate student
said having the parade gives students an opportunity to represent their
countries.
“It is a showcase of all the countries of students that study
at UTA,” Soo said.
Bilingual education sophomore Lucia Garcia, holding the Peruvian flag,
said parade participants began rehearsing Sunday. She said it was her
first time participating and she is doing so with other members from
her organization, the Latin American Student Organization. She said
the group has students from 12 countries, and they were excited about
carrying flags in the parade.
“It’s interesting, showing countries around the world,”
she said. “It’s a good experience meeting new races and
combining them. For once, we are united.”
After marching past students and spectators, everyone went into the
Bluebonnet Ballroom to socialize and eat cake and ice cream. In the
ballroom, students set up different booths to further promote their
countries. They displayed money, clothes and pictures.
Biology junior Hung Duong said the booths allowed students to display
their culture and show their presence in Arlington.
“It helps us to express ourselves,” the Vietnam representative
said.
Fernando Meneses, city and regional planning graduate student, said
he came to represent his country, Guatemala, and to learn about other
countries. Meneses said he would like to see more Americans participate
in International Week.
“By not showing up, it appears [Americans] might not be interested,”
he said.
International Student Adviser Danika Hines said she thinks the grand
opening was a success because of the flair and attention the band added.
She said she loves the student interaction and feels it gives them a
chance to get to know each other better.
“They show so much respect for each other’s cultures,”
she said.
CORRECTION
Biology
junior Huong Duong’s name was misspelled.
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JOIN THE FESTIVITIES
Food Fair
Tuesday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
University Center mall
Fashion Show
Wednesday 7-10 p.m.
UC Bluebonnet Ballroom
Global Extravaganza
Friday 7-10 p.m.
UC Bluebonnet Ballroom
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