Every spring, the English for Speakers of Other Languages program hosts a day where students celebrate their native countries with others.
“International Day is student generated and the students are very excited about this opportunity because they get to share their culture and their home,” said ESOL instructor Jennifer Oden, who organized the March 27 event in the Harvin Center.
Surrounded by many different flags, students browsed booths that ESOL students had set up to showcase their culture.
South Korea, Pakistan, Mexico and more were represented.
A couple of visitors from South Korea came and showcased their traditional wedding outfits and other objects. Medical coding major Martha Fonseca visited the display and enjoyed her time learning about the country.
“I thought it was a very enlightening experience and learning about their wedding tradition was interesting. They had a lovely display,” Fonseca said.
The event featured cultural music and karaoke, with people from Mexico serenading students with Tejano music. Students gathered around and listened to the women singing and dancing to their music.
ESOL student Sebastion Murillo enjoyed sharing details of his country, Mexico.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity and the ESOL program is great,” Murillo said.
Intrigued and thankful for the opportunity to learn about the many cultures, criminal Justice major Job Gonzalez had a memorable experience participating in the event.
“I wanted to applaud Jennifer Oden for this great get-together from different cultures, especially right now with the little climate we are living in, we need to know, especially the youth, that diversity is a good thing because this country has been built on foreigners,” Gonzalez said with appreciation.
