Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Aggielife

Media Credit: Tommy Tang Members of a Korean performance group from Houston present a traditional song and dance during International Week. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tommy Tang The Panamanian Student Association features dancers wearing the national dress, which have been individually hand sewn. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tommy Tang International Week allows groups to present performances from their respective countries. [Click to enlarge]

The Memorial Student Center celebrated 21 countries with International Week. Colors, music and culture were blasting from the hallways, luring students, nearby elementary school classes and families to enjoy the fun. Vice President of operations Mandar Kulkarni detailed the purpose of I-week.

"[This event is put on to] create awareness on campus and provide a platform for the international students to show their cultures," Kulkarni said.

On Monday and Tuesday, each representative country had the opportunity to set up a table to display key elements that define its culture. After traveling through the booths, the International Student Association asked observers to vote for their favorite booth, which would be announced later on in the week. This was incentive for outlandish decorations and a variety of treats, games and props. Iran flaunted a miniature fish pond as India dressed in traditional robes. The Bangladesh table had sweets and henna tattoos, and Japan was full of bright-colored origami. Taiwan had videos and Korea had a game known as "Yut Nori," which seemed to catch many eyes. Each booth seemed to outdo the next with pictures, crafts and music.

I-week was a time to recognize the accomplishments and interesting facts of each country. Some surprising information included the fact that Bolivia's former president, Martin Torrijos Espino, graduated from Texas A&M in 1987 and Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world and home of the first space satellite "Sputnik," launched in 1957.

Chuck Ejim, a business administration graduate student, said he loves Africa because you can be in West Africa and then travel to East Africa and have an almost completely different experience. The country is so diverse and yet, "We are all African," Ejim said.

The international buffet and variety show were on Wednesday night. Representatives from the countries cooked three of their homeland entrees. The lines were out the door for last-minute tickets but the MSC box office was forced to shut the doors on many hungry guests. Those that made it to the show and buffet were given eight tickets to spend on a serving from each country.

The meals included drunken chicken from Hong Kong, Indian tea from India and a chicken pie made with chicken, egg, cream, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg from Indonesia.

Jenna Potz-Nielsen, a sophomore nutritional sciences major, like many other guests, was impressed with many of the countries' creative foods.

"[There was] food with color like I have never seen, but delicious. Very delicious," Potz-Nielson said.

After filling up on chicken tondori and pork wontons, guests gathered around to watch the performances. Panama showcased dresses that take nine months to make.

The 150 different colored flowers were hand embroidered along with the lace. The women wore real gold necklaces and detailed head dresses. A Korean performance group made an appearance on stage in bright colors with drums and symbols performing the "farm dance."

The turnout was impressive and the ISA said it was pleased by the week's results. Those who came took home unique pieces of the world and a full stomach.

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