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ISU's International Fair celebrated with array of customs
By Bridget Flynn
bflynn@pantagraph.com
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NORMAL -- The tea flowed and exotic dances were performed Saturday at Illinois State University’s 38th annual International Fair.

Sarah Jome, associate director of ISU’s International Studies Program, said the fair gives students “an opportunity to share what’s important for them with the people of the community.”

Jome said she was impressed with the camaraderie of the fair in the Bone Student Center’s Brown Ballroom.

“There are so many conversations going on out there,” she said. “Everybody’s smiling, making new friends, meeting old friends.”

One such conversation included this piece of advice: “If you want some bubble tea, head on over to APAC (Asian Pacific American Coalition),” Kenneth Sinn, a junior accounting major, told his friend, Carl Lee of the Japanese Student Association.

The bubble tea, a mixture of tea, passion fruit and tapioca balls (called “boba”), was provided by Fusion Brew, a bubble tea and espresso cafe in Normal.

Brittnay Lewis, a fifth-year biochemistry major, staffed the International Talk Time booth. ITT brings international students together for English conversations over

dinners at Campus House at the corner of Normal Avenue and Locust Street.

Sitting with a bowl of pulgogi (brazed beef marinated au jus) from the Korean Student Association, Lewis said the most rewarding aspect of her work with the group is “bridging the gap between international students and American students.”

The Spanish club infused the fair with Latin culture by dancing to the song “Alma Llanera” (“country soul”), a popular Venezuelan song testifying to the beauty of the country and its culture, said Marinelly Castillo, professor of Spanish.

Cumbia music

They also performed a Colombian cumbia song called “La Escoba” about a broom, and they brought one on stage for the performance, she said. Cumbia music originated in Colombia among American Indians and African slaves as a courtship dance and is derived from Guinean cumbe music.

Castillo said her sister who lives in Venezuela made the long skirts with flower designs that the female dancers wore.

Alex Straughn, a senior originally from Barbados, represented the Caribbean Student Association. He served punch made with pineapple and oranges, and patties (dough casings filled with various meats or vegetables) made by a Jamaican friend who operates Caribbean American Bakery in Chicago.

Akshadha Rangaragan, a graduate student representing the Indian Student Association, painted a dark blue flower on a customer’s hand. The body-painting practice, “mehndi,” traditionally employs henna, a reddish-brown plant dye, and is used for special events, such as weddings, in India.

Also representing India was Nischal Kapoor, who came from Chicago to teach Sahaja yoga mediation.

Jome estimated more than 600 people had attended by the afternoon. A record 32 organizations participated.

Take a look
Muskan Shah, 10, of Bloomington, models India clothes during the Illinois State University's International Fair in the Bone Student Center Ballroom in Normal, Illinois, Saturday afternoon (February 23, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Chen Luohu, of Bloomington, organizes her table during Illinois State University's International Fair in the Bone Student Center in Normal, Illinois Saturday afternoon (February 23, 2008). (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Nice wrote on Feb 24, 2008 1:01 AM:

" article and program!!!! "
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