Action from the demonstration and fun trials of the game. Photos by Vijay Suram
By Alexandria Truby
Indiana State University (ISU) has a long history of taking action to ensure their international students feel at home, while also providing outlets to share their unique cultural backgrounds. ISU and the Center for Global Engagement hosted the International Education Week from Nov. 13 – 17 this year.
Such events give students a platform to share and discuss their respective cultures. The week began with an Exhibit of Nations and Cultures, set up in the Library Events area on the afternoon of International Day. From Nov. 13-17 an International Garment and Jewelry Exhibition called “Clothing and Culture” was set up in the HMSU Gallery Lounge, while a reception was held to draw more attention to the area on Nov. 14 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Mini workshops were conducted teaching audiences how to wear the Dhoti, Sari, Hijab, and Head Wrap.
Christopher Dillon Quinn’s documentary, “God Grew Tired of Us”, is a film on the “Lost Boys of Sudan.” This piece was shown in the Library Events area from 11 am. – 1 pm on November 14 to educate the University of the near 25,000 men who fled from the Sudanese civil wars since the 1980s. The film was likely designed to share the struggle that these men endured to find solace in the United States, and to remind the audience members that this country is seen by many as a safe place to start new lives.
Cricket is an English sport that is very popular in India and is somewhat similar to baseball. To introduce students to this sport, Vijay Suram and other members of the Center for Global Engagement teamed up with sections of PE101 for demonstrations and fun trials of the game in the Arena North Gym on Nov. 15.
Suram notes that they taught around 120 students that day. Cricket balls are very solid, tightly wound balls of string and cork encased in leather and stitched together. Therefore, to avoid any injuries, tennis balls were used for the purposes of instruction and demonstration. Dr. Kathy Ginter told Suram that all the students loved playing cricket. In fact, one of the students asked if there was a cricket club on campus and noted that one should be started.
International students from Ukraine, Russia, India, South Korea, Morocco, South Africa, France and Australia cooked pancakes from around the world. Crowds were welcomed at the United Campus Ministries, Fellowship Hall from 5 to 7 pm on Nov. 16. Patrons enjoyed watching the pancakes being prepared in front of them before savoring the different tastes from around the world.
Overall, these events brought students and faculty of many ethnic backgrounds together and provided a welcoming environment to learn about different ways of life.
Ajay Lakhe contributed to this story.
Story courtesy of http://indianacricket.blogspot.com