College marks multicultural day

Published 9:40 am Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Riverland Community College is getting an international lesson this week.

Riverland’s Multicultural Club and the Multicultural Center are celebrating International Education Week by hosting several events this week.

Tuesday marks the annual Cultural Cafe and Country Presentations inside the cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the west campus in Austin. There won’t be as many homemade treats as in previous years because students have to follow new food preparation policies, but there will be foods from around the world prepared by local restaurants, according to Melodee Morem, international student adviser.

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Students from Portugal, China, Mexico, Tajikistan, Brazil and possibly South Korea will all share aspects of their culture with residents as well.

“This is a great way for our international students to show what they are most proud of in their cultures and countries,” said Yesenia Mendoza, international student advisor.

The Multicultural Club will show the documentary “Crossing Borders” at noon Wednesday in room C-131 at the Austin campus as well. The documentary revolves around four American students traveling in Morocco with four Moroccan students, and the discussions around Islam and Western values.

“In the past couple years we’ve tried to have a move night from different parts of the world,” Morem said. “We really wanted to keep that tradition going.”

Yet the highlight of the week is the IEW Student Dance held from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday in the Austin West campus cafeteria. Students used to hold dances several years ago, according to Morem, and the Multicultural Club jumped at the chance to host one as part of the week’s festivities. Students can buy pizza and pop, dress in costumes and have photos taken at a photo booth. Music will be provided by a local DJ.