By guest contributor Karla Garcia Cardenas —
On November 13th, Miami Regionals Celebrated the 2023 International Festival in Wilks Hall at the Hamilton Campus. Hosted by the International Club and led by President Selena Hernandez, Vice President Brian Nguyen, and advisor Kathy Lamb, the event brought together students and faculty to celebrate the cultural diversity of the Regionals.
Artifacts from Malawi, Afghanistan, Mexico, and China (among others) were displayed. These items included traditional clothing pieces, household utensils, games, and festive decorations. The event featured three food stations serving Indian, Chinese, and Mexican food. Attendee favorites included egg rolls, shrimp ceviche tostadas, horchata, and basmati rice. Snack foods like tortilla chips, fortune cookies, and international candy were also available to enjoy.
The event had a range of intercultural experiences for students and faculty. Music, games, and activity tables were placed throughout the festival. There was also a photo booth, a Write Your Name in Mandarin station, and a henna station where artist Raja Rashida provided free henna tattoos. However, the caricature station seemed to be the most popular, as nearly all attendees lined up to receive their portrait drawn by caricature artist Eric. One attendee stated, “It was really fun, the food was great, and I will come back next year!”
The International Club wishes to thank all who volunteered and attended the 2023 International Festival, as well as those who helped pull this event together. Special thanks to Amy Depew and the entire team in The Diversity Center. Thanks also to the English Language Center for their assistance and dedication.
To learn more about the International Club and join the organization, please visit the Miami HUB page.
