For the culmination of Northern Arizona University’s International Week, the Center for International Education (CIE) hosted an International Festival on April 20, bringing together students from 20 countries to offer a booth about their countries highlighting traditions, culture, food, history and more.
Dylan Rust, director of international student retention and inclusion, said 200-300 people attend the festival each year, including 150 students from the Flagstaff Unified School District’s after-school FACTS program. The event, which takes place in the International Pavilion, provides both local and international students the chance to interact with each other and share their cultures.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to meet people from around the world, and it is fun for the international students to engage with the kids,” he said.
One or more students presented a booth about each of the 20 countries. The booths present information and pictures. Some students add things to their booth for the guests to handle, while others have games. For instance, the booth with students from China involved a game where participants tried to pick up different objects with chopsticks.
For more information, visit the Center for International Education’s website or contact them at (928) 523-2409.