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Page 3 • Monday, March 1, 1999
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international week brings
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BY MARIANO CASTILLO
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onjour, hola, salaams, guten tag, aloha ... howdy is not the only
form of greeting found on campus. Over 100 countries are repre-
h sented at Texas A&M. Each bringing not only a different dialect,
but also different foods and different perspectives.
■To celebrate the diversity on campus, international Week is dedicat
ed to highlighting the differences and expanding awareness of other
cultures at A&M. This marks the 20th anniversary of the event orga-
nbed by the International Student Association. The opening ceremony
will take place in the MSC Flagroom at 11:30 a.m., and the celebrations
will come to a close with a party and award ceremony on Friday.
■ Mohamed Al-Saikhan, a graduate student and representative of the
Saudi Student House, said the opportunity to share and learn customs
aid traditions of other countries is something to indulge in.
■ “There is definitely diversity [at A&M],” Al-Saikhan said. “But I don’t
think [American students] take advantage of it.”
I In the long-standing debate as to whether students here receive an
adequate international education, Al-Saikhan said he agrees with most
international students that cultural awareness has come a long way but
still has a long way to go.
■ “[In Saudi Arabia] we are taught to know about other countries from
the beginning of our schooling — their population, products, exports
and imports,” Al-Saikhan said. “What percentage of Americans try to
leprn [about other countries]? Not much.”
■ In the eyes of many international students, International Week is a
door to much more than the food they serve at the buffet and the cos
tumes they show during the cultural display.
I Tiffany Huang, a senior managing information systems major, said
this week is not just for Americans, but for all the cultures to mix.
I “Each club at I-week should have more interaction together,” she
laid.
I Al-Saikhan said cities in Saudi Arabia are comparable to metropo
lises in the United States
I “Saudi Arabia is not the vast desert that most people imagine,” Al-
Saikhan said. “This is an example of one of the most common mis
conceptions of other countries. It is not a small country. As you travel
across the country, different subcultures are clearly identified, much
like the distinct groups of people in the U.S.”
I Francisco Perez, president of the Guatemalan Student Association
and a senior marketing management major, said as a Latin-American
in Texas, the number one stereotype formed is that all Hispanics are
Mexican. Perez said many Latin students are from South and Central
America.
“Everyone thinks we are from Mexico,” he said. “Every country has
its unique cultural differences.”
Currently, 11 Latin-American countries have active clubs on campus,
including Peru, Colombia and Nicaragua.
Wikrom Jaruphongsa, vice-president of the Thai Student Associa
tion and a graduate assistant, said misconceptions are also formed
about Thailand and neighboring Southeast Asian nations.
“People assume that because Thailand is a small country, then its
people have small ambitions,” Jaruphongsa said.
Jaruphongsa said that to the contrary, it is high goals that attract
many Thais to America to get a more complete higher education and
to master the English language in hopes of getting ahead in Thailand.
Thailand is known as “The Land of Smile,” which coincidentally over
laps with Aggieland being known as “The Friendliest Campus.”
Similar to when a child refuses to try a new food because it looks
different (and ends up loving it), exposure to new cultures can open
up new passions.
David Spatzier, an Italian at A&M and a senior agricultural journal
ism major, said International Week is a great opportunity to find some
thing to like about other countries.
Spatzier said the food and the music are some of the best parts of
the Italian culture. He said Italians are also very passionate about sports,
especially soccer, which is something many cultures can relate to.
Michael Wagener/The Battalion
Another cultural aspect that sparks interest among students is his
tory. Huang said China has a rich history that makes it unique.
“The Chinese have a longer history than most cultures,” she said.
“Each dynasty was different and is like a new story.”
Perez said in other countries, even the way people treat each other
is slightly different. He said compared to Americans, Guatemalans (and
for the most part, other Latins) show more openness to each other.
“The respect of personal relationships are more close between fam
ily and friends alike,” he said.
Al-Saikhan said one of the most varied cultural aspects around the
world is religion. He said in America, religion does not play as big a
role as in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia.
“All life is based on religion,” Al-Saikhan said. “We judge people,
from A to Z, how we interact — everything including how to buy and
sell, how to eat and how to wear your clothes.”
The International Student Association is aiming for International
Week 1999 to spread culture through activities such as the buffet and
talent show.
Huang said many hours of work have been put into the festivities.
“Organization is great this year,” she said. “Everybody is doing their
best,” she said.
Perez said he expects a high turnout this year.
“It’s the 20th anniversary; it’s for people to celebrate; it’s become a
tradition,” he said.
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