Sharing Cultures on International Day

October 20, 2009

Students reach out to welcome the community through dance and music on International Day

Phillips Exeter is enriched by a diverse population of international students, so it’s no wonder that International Day is a popular and well-attended event.

Last Sunday’s sunny weather brought out many students and the Exeter community at large, who had an opportunity to view international costumes, cultural dances and music, crafts and the many welcoming smiles of the students who had worked long and hard to make the festival possible. “It was really fun setting it up!” said Brea ’12, who is a native Indonesian and new to Exeter this year. “We had brought souvenirs from back home, and our parents shipped over some as well. It was great to work together with people who know Indonesian culture, and talking in Bahasa Indonesia [the official language of Indonesia]. It was awesome to find people from back home, and working with them.”

Jon ’11 from Malaysia took advantage of his country’s ties with Indonesia. “I personally enjoyed meeting fellow Malaysians and Indonesians. As Malaysia and Indonesia are very similar, it was great talking in Bahasa and chatting about current events back home. The familiarity of it all was very refreshing being so far away from home.”

Food is always one of the highlights of the event for the international students, who prepare and then get to enjoy some home favorites, and for American students and visitors from the community who sample the wide array of delicious food drawn from many countries and cultures.

“My favorite part about International Day was the food!” said Jerilyn ’13, newly arrived this fall from Malaysia. “The bubble tea, Korean beef and pisang goreng were all delicious. On Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, the Wetherell Dining Hall kitchen was bustling with student chefs. But it was all worth it because everyone enjoyed the food.”

Ragini ’12 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, helped to organize the multicultural fashion show. “Students had the opportunity to show all their friends their nations’ traditional clothing. It was fun because a lot of international students came together to work on this project. In such a large, busy school, sometimes we don’t take the time to notice how many different cultures are represented in the student body.”

Calla ’12 from Beijing, China, who was involved with preparing the musical performances for the day, enjoyed the cross-cultural experience, as well as the food. “The performances were wonderful, the fashion show was dazzling, and of course, the food was delicious. International Day was a great success and I enjoyed every bit of it!” She continued, “It was great to see everyone in the Exeter community coming together, having fun and sharing their different cultures with each other. There is a sense of fulfillment that comes with so many members of our community volunteering to put International Day together. There was a friendly and fun atmosphere the whole time while we shared information about each other’s cultures.”

Jonathan ’10, a member of the Taiwanese American Society, appreciated the way students of different cultures respected one another. “The international students were really excited to show off their own cultures. You can’t find too many places on this planet where cultures can be so peacefully and easily shared with each other, where people treat diversity with respect.”

“Events like this allow me to express myself,” added Jerilyn. “I’m Chinese-Malaysian, and proud of it! At International Day, foreign students can ‘show off’ their home countries, and share with others a part of themselves. I’ve realized that I am not alone, as hundreds of other Exonians are from different parts of the world. It is very easy to fit in at Exeter’s supportive community. When I left home, a friend told me to hold on to my Asian pride. Here at Exeter, it is impossible to lose it!”

Moeko ’11 from Yokohama, Japan, was reminded of home while taking the opportunity to make new friends. “International Day does make me feel a little reminiscent and nostalgic of my home country. But I am proud to share the day with other people who are in the same shoes as I am.” She continued, “This year, I worked very closely with the Chinese Student Organization for a change, instead of the Japan-America Society, which is my nationality club. Bonding with people who you never usually talk to is something I look forward to.”

Jonathan summed up his sense of what International Day represents at Exeter. “It’s really quite an extraordinary sight, seeing so many cultures come together to represent a world view that Exeter works hard to achieve.” Jerilyn added her own take on the day. “Events like International Day really show that at Exeter, we have a culture of our own!”

Exonians come from approximately 44 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and 27 foreign countries. International Day was sponsored by Student Activities in conjunction with the Dean of Multicultural Affairs Office.

Interested in learning more?

View a gallery of additional photos from International Day...

Explore the diversity of Exeter's students…

Check out Exeter's international and cultural clubs…

Read about Exeter's international student coordinator, and Exeter's programs for foreign students…