International Education

Cultures shared, celebrated at Global Festival

ISSO, IE, international education,

icon of a calendarFebruary 17, 2020

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ISSO hosts Global Festival
One of the many great performances seen at this year's Global Festival was the Sarisan Slovak Folk Ensemble. Photograph by Arjun Musham, an OU alum from India.

The Oakland University international community of students and supporters made an impressive showing at this year’s Global Festival.

The event is an opportunity for students of all nationalities to come together and share the elements of the many cultures that make up Oakland's diverse community. 

More than 400 Oakland students, employees, and community members attended the event, which included cultural informational booths and diverse artistic performances ranging from Chinese calligraphy to a national stroll from Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority.

“Events like the Global Festival make our students/scholars feel more comfortable and welcomed at OU,” said Petra Knoche, international adviser with the International Students and Scholars Office and the Office of Global Engagement. “Our students are very proud to share their cultures, traditions and talents while at the same time, meeting new people and learning more about life in the United States.”

The student organization International Allies Organization (IAO) hosted this year’s Global Festival. The evening was co-sponsored by several other student organizations, as well as by various departments across campus.

Alexis Asaro, president of IAO, and a student employee in the International Students and Scholars Office, was an organizer for the event. She said, “We want to keep this event going annually to continue to create a space where everyone feels welcome and free to celebrate their culture and learn about others."  

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