Issue date: 11/24/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Duc Minh Pham Patrice Lee, a senior, and Jordan Ragasa, a freshman, perform a Japanese Dance during the International Student Association's International Bazaar Saturday in the Walden Inn. The event raised $608.

While many students travel abroad during Winter Term or the semester, some students were able to experience world cultures without leaving DePauw's campus Saturday.

The International Students Association put on its annual International Bazaar Saturday at the Walden Inn. The theme was "30 in 3: Thirty countries in three hours."

The 30 countries were represented by each culture's food, performances and clothing in a room lined with different cuisines from China to Zimbabwe. Senior Daniel Bampoh and freshman Sehrish Khan Saddozai stood in as announcers of the event.

Sophomore Tiamo Katsonga-Phiri, the secretary of ISA, said the food was a popular draw.

"We had a lot of great food, and people kept coming back for seconds and thirds," Katsonga-Phiri said. "We probably shouldn't have let them do that so others would've gotten to try some."

The performances included Japanese fisherman dances, a fashion show, martial arts demonstrations and singing.

Freshman Josh Miller said the performances were his favorite aspect of the bazaar.

"The performances were incredible - especially the Japanese dance with my roommate, Eriya Terada," Miller said.

The association wasn't the only group helping host the International Bazaar. Building Tomorrow also raised cultural awareness, selling Ugandan bracelets and necklaces to raise money for a new school in Uganda.

President of Building Tomorrow, junior David Dietz, said he was happy to join forces with the association.

"The international student community has been very supportive of Building Tomorrow, and we wanted to participate," he said.

Minnu Paul, junior and president of ISA, said she was very pleased with the event's outcome.

"This is the best turnout I've seen," Paul said. "Our advertising was really good this year."

Although Paul has just finished executing the big event, plans for ISA's next campus event is already in the works.

"Next semester will probably be a festival, where it's countries versus countries, competing," she said. "That's still pending though."

Loutfi Jirari, associate director of the Center for International and Experiential Education and an organizer for ISA, said the event raised $608, which is double the earnings in years past. The money comes from a $3 entrance fee and will be donated to a charity of ISA's choice.

Members of ISA agreed that this year's event attracted more DePauw students.

"In previous years, it's been more Greencastle residents than students," Katsonga-Phiri said. "But this year, there are so many domestic students - it's been great."

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