Around the world in a week
As part of Southern Oregon University's annual International Week, sushi enthusiasts got a taste of Japan Thursday, as the International Student Activities club held its first sushi workshop in the Stevenson Union.
The workshop was only one of many culturally diverse events held on campus during the week, including an international parade, international food fair, panel discussions, belly dancing workshops and Mexican arts and crafts.
Hirofumi "Melon" Yamamoto, an SOU junior exchange student from Orissa, Japan, attended the workshop where campus restaurant chef Mike Brown and ISA volunteers taught students the art of sushi. Yamamoto said he has enjoyed learning about all of the different cultures during International Week, and thinks other students have too.
"Everyone can learn a little bit about other countries," he said. "It's a good way to find out about each other's cultures."
Yamamoto, among other Japanese exchange students, performed martial arts in this year's 36th annual International show held at the SOU Recital Hall. Native American Student Union (NASU) and Spirit Drum kicked off the show to represent America's roots of origin. The night showcased dance and song from diverse places around the globe — from Turkish and Egyptian belly dancing to Romanian folk dance to Scottish bagpipes.
ISA President and Mexican exchange student, Ixel Sanchez, saw the week-long event as a chance for the community to embrace different cultures.
"We're trying to make people aware of the diversity of cultures on campus," Sanchez said. "It's ISA's biggest event of the year."
Sanchez, along with many ISA club members, has been working hard since winter term to organize, plan and rehearse in preparation for the week, which also included an international soccer tournament on Friday at the SOU soccer fields. International and resident SOU students faced off in a friendly five-sided tournament.
The ISA club began in 1972 as the Cosmopolitan Club as a way for international students and internationally-minded students to come together and share and explore the diverse array of cultures on campus. ISA plans events all year long that allow students to forge friendships and perform community projects. All events are free and anyone can join the ISA club, regardless of nationality. All that is needed is an interest in culture and international diversity, according to Sanchez.
Community members as well as university students are welcome to attend weekly ISA meetings held Mondays at 6 p.m. in Stevenson Union Room 313.
