Ethnic dinner celebrates togetherness

It is said that food is our common ground, a universal experience. If that’s the case, then more than 100 people of various ethnicities found themselves on common ground sharing a universal meal at the annual ethnic dinner Saturday night, co-sponsored by the World Student Union and the Office of International and Multicultural Student Affairs.

American and international students, faculty, staff and host families from the communities joined for an evening of ethnic foods and entertainment, according to Sreng Kim-Chhay, director of the Office of International and Multicultural Student Affairs.

“I really enjoy the component of togetherness the dinner brings out in all of us,” she said. “It really shows the diversity and globalization of our campus.”

Each year, the dinner grows in popularity, with international members of the Heidelberg community preparing dishes from their native lands to share. Cuisine ranged from Chinese, Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese to African, Canadian and American – and everything in between.

A special highlight of this year’s dinner was a Chinese tea ceremony, presented by Heidelberg’s Chinese student contingent. The ceremony demonstrated an important part of the Chinese culture by showing respect for guests and thanking those who played an important role in the evening’s success.

One such couple was married couple and faculty members Steve Velasquez and Linda Stine, who demonstrated a Latin ballroom dance.

Host families received a special welcome and thanks for all they do for Heidelberg’s international students, Kim said.

Posted Nov. 12, 2007