International groups participate in food festival

Kathi Walker / The Bulletin

Jihye Kang, senior business administration major, and Heewon Choi, junior business administration major, adjust their traditional South Korean dresses during the International Food Festival held in the Memorial Union on Saturday, September 6. The Festival offered an opportunity for ESU students, and their families, to taste the food and culture of ESU’s many international students.

Students and their families warmed up and filled their stomachs after Saturday’s rainy football game by attending the International Food Festival. The festival, sponsored by the Office of International Education, was held from 4-7 p.m. in the Hornet’s Nest.

“It’s a combination of things that makes this event great,” said James Harter, assistant vice president for the office of international education. “There is a lot of variety of food, having it as part of family day, being at this location. Having as many groups participating as we do, it is all a win-win situation.”

Saturday’s football victory over Augustana made the atmosphere at the event upbeat and excited. The OIE passed out menus for the festival during the game to raise awareness.

The event had 16 different groups set up tables and sell foods that represented their organization. Every group had something unique and special to offer at the event.

The Chinese Student Association set up a huge table with different kinds of rice, meats and sushi. The German Club set up a table of breads and desserts. The honors program students sold pie. E-Unit had a collection of healthy snack foods for sale. Sakura, the Japanese student association, provided beef bowls and Dangos, a gooey rice dipped in sugar and teriyaki sauce served on kabobs

“We want everyone to know our culture and what kind of food that we have because it is really good,” said Kazumi Haine, freshman undecided major.

Most groups began setting up their tables around 2 p.m., but the Korean Student Association began setting up their table at noon. Many people were drawn to the event early because the KSA began cooking ahead of schedule.

“The Korean students started cooking at one thirty and started selling at three,” Harter said. “Everyone could smell it, so people started coming early.”

Students had several reasons for cooking and selling their food in the event. It was an opportunity to make money for the different organizations and raise awareness for the organizations. One of the main reasons was for students to get to know the people within their own organizations better.

“We can get to know each other more and more through these programs like the food festival,” said Cheong Lee, sophomore biology major.

There were also many attractions that drew people to participate in the event.

“I know a lot of the international students,” said Michelle Nila, senior communications major. “They all were really excited about making food and sharing their culture with other people, so I wanted to come and support them.”

The wide variety of food being offered at the event gave community members the opportunity to experience other cultures. The event also had a family-friendly environment that many felt was appropriate for Family Day festivities.

“I think things are going pretty well this year,” Nila said. “The food hasn’t run out as quickly as last year. They also provided a lot more seating for people, where as last year, you had to go upstairs to find a spot.”