Paws enjoyed the food from Germany at the International Festival. Photo by Natalie Ballard
Story co-written/produced with Natalie Ballard
In the heart of Western Carolina’s campus, a beautiful whirlwind of colors circled the fountain as students and faculty carrying the flags of 42 countries from around the world celebrated Western’s 40th annual International Festival.
Hosted by WCU’s Office of International Programs and Services, this year’s International Festival provided students with a look at music, traditional dances, and food from 17 different countries.
“We are very proud to celebrate cultural differences and similarities,” said interim chancellor Alison Morrison-Shetlar.
Western Carolina has students from 35 different countries who are either international students, or students who have studied abroad and returned, explained Morrison-Shetlar.
Many of Western’s international students celebrated the day by sharing samples of foods from their home countries.
Bridget Gelderblom is an international student from the Netherlands who shared with students delicious stroopwafels, which are made from two thin layers of dough and filled with either caramel or honey. Though they taste like a dessert, stroopwafels are commonly eaten with afternoon tea, explained Gelderblom.
Other foods featured at the festival were German currywurst, a meal with pork sausage and curry ketchup, Chilean leche asada, a smooth textured dessert made with milk, and Slovenian potica, a thin-rolled pastry filled with walnuts.
As the festival continued, students ate and danced together while music filled the campus.
Senior Haylee Wilkie said she has always enjoyed coming to the International Festival as a student at Western.
“I love the festival, and I’m sad as a graduating senior that this is my last one,” she said.
German international student, Anna Maier, has been studying forensic anthropology at WCU for three years and says her favorite thing about the festival is how it brings the campus together.
“[I love] everybody coming together and having fun together,” she said.
Experience the fun of the International Festival!
