The International Festival returned to Western’s fountain area Thursday, April 28 to bring awareness and celebration of other countries’ cultures within and across our campus. This was the first festival since the spring of 2019. The festival went from noon to after 3 p.m.
The festival, hosted by WCU’s Global Ambassador Program, a subdivision of the Office of International Programs, featured 11 countries that had booths set up as well as an additional four countries that were represented during the flag parade.
The festival kicked off at noon with a flag parade, going from WCU’s Cordelia Camp building to the Health and Human Sciences building where Chancellor Brown joined the parade by hoisting an American flag. Marchers held flags to represent their countries.
Countries represented by booths included the Bahamas, Brazil, England, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Scotland, Sweden and Turkey.
Carina Blomberg, president of the Global Ambassadors Program, is part of International Pals (I-Pals), which partners up with international students to assist them throughout their time at WCU.
International Festival is a perfect opportunity for international students to share their cultures with WCU before the academic year ends and many of them return to their home countries.
“I think when you come to America as an international student, there is a lot of pressure to learn how Americans act and embrace the culture we have here, especially in a college setting,” said Blomberg. “It’s a day for students to show off their culture and their events.”
Students get homesick, especially when going home isn’t just a few hours away by driving, many times being separated by an entire ocean for international students.
Roy Inkidar, an international student from Lebanon studying at WCU this semester, said “At first, you feel like you miss home and are kind of confused about what you are doing in your life. But later on, you find peace with yourself as you adapt to your surroundings. Home becomes a happy thought that you hope to visit soon…”
While the festival may help with feelings of being homesick, it also serves as a site of cultural exchange.
“I think Americans generally have a curiosity and desire to learn about [other cultures], so it’s a really interesting exchange,” Blomberg summarized.
The festival also featured ways to express artistic cultures. In addition to a Japanese calligraphy event, there was a stage for cultural performances, including singing from Música Brasileira de Asheville (MBA) and De Silvas in Sylva. There was Mambo dancing for Italy and traditional Saudi Arabian dancing.
Stamping hand prints on a Japanese calligraphy banner. Photo by Nick Childs. 
The aftermath of stamping hands on the banner using paints. Photo by Nick Childs.
The event also featured other resources for students, including CAPS, LASO and the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.
The International Festival was funded by WCU’s Student Government Association.
