Students sample international foods, learn culture

Students+serve+samples+at+the+America+stop+for+the+Taste+of+the+World+event+in+Beall+Hall+on+Monday%2C+March+11.+The+event+offered+food+samples+from+Italy%2C+Mexico%2C+Germany%2C+Slovakia+and+Ireland.+Photo+by+Jenna+Watson.

Students serve samples at the “America” stop for the Taste of the World event in Beall Hall on Monday, March 11. The event offered food samples from Italy, Mexico, Germany, Slovakia and Ireland. Photo by Jenna Watson.

Andrew Baker

Students from all over the world interacted with each other in a night filled with food, facts and fun Tuesday in Beall and McDowell halls.

The dormitories hosted “Taste of the World,” which featured food from Italy, Germany, Ireland, Slovakia, Mexico and the United States.

“It kind of creates a climate that people can talk and get to know each other,” said Emily Merkel, a junior integrated mathematics major. “People sit and try food and can learn about other cultures.”

Residence assistants from both dorms, as well as Van Campen hall, organized the event and worked each food station.

“We have a large amount of international students,” said RA Erika Berno, sophomore recreation, park and tourism management major. “We really hope they learn about America and have our American students learn about other countries.”

The Office of Global Education helped fund the event and sent an email to foreign exchange students, which led to students from many countries attending.

“It’s cool,” said Wentao Wang, freshman Chinese exchange student. “It’s a good opportunity to taste other countries’ food and learn about their culture.”

Berno and fellow RA Mariah Gerschutz, sophomore biology major, headed the event. Both were pleased with the outcome of their work.

“It’s really successful,” Berno said. “It’s a really good turnout.”

Contact Andrew Baker at [email protected].