Students representing 24 nations had the opportunity to celebrate their diversity, share their cultures, and fight off the winter blues at Storm King’s Global Community Day– a day full of activities, food, and fun with an international theme. The event took place on Friday, February 8, with cultural activities running simultaneously at several locations on campus.

 

 

 

 

The excitement began to grow in the days before the event as students helped Chef Andrew and the dining hall staff prepare authentic and exotic dishes for Friday’s feast, including Moqueca (fish stew) from Brazil, seafood Paella from Spain, Bulgogo (barbecued meat) from Korea, Chinese dumplings and a spicy stir fry called Ma La Xiang Guo, West African peanut stew, and Nasi Lemak, a chicken dish with anchovies and coconut rice.

 

 

Students were also busy getting ready for the International Flag Parade which took place on the evening of Thursday, February 7, in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre. During the parade, all nations represented at Storm King waved their national flags proudly, and some students chose to wear traditional costumes, sing songs, and read poetry from their countries. The flag parade was a new addition to the Global Community Day program this year and proved to be the perfect opening for the event.

 

 

Following classes Friday morning, the festivities began at noon, with students helping to serve the long list of globally diverse specialties on the menu. The food was delicious and in such demand that the line stretched all the way through Orr Commons, with many diners coming back for second and third portions. After lunch, the cultural fun in Orr Commons continued, with students creating a colorful sand mandala, demonstrating Chinese teas, stirring Turkish coffee, and taking fun quizzes testing their knowledge of international flags and the Chinese language.

 

 

The gymnasium was open for the Global Community Day Olympics where many students chose to compete in ping pong, handball, basketball, and corn hole. Meanwhile, other students learned how to Tango and danced to the Zumba rhythm in the dance studio. Ogden Hall was another Global Community Day venue that housed activities including traditional board and card games such as Mahjong and Twister, Origami and paper-cutting, a Godzilla movie, a Latin American country poster display, and a fabulous quilting demonstration.

 

 

ESL Department Chair Cathy Hecht was very pleased with the outcome of Global Community Day this year. “Global Community Day celebrates the fact that we are truly a diverse, global community and our spirit was displayed throughout the day. I want to thank everyone who was involved, either working on or enjoying our activities– this day couldn’t be accomplished without all of you,” commented Mrs. Hecht following the event.