Georgia Southern University to Host International Festival

November 15, 2010

The sights, sounds and aromas at Georgia Southern University’s International Festival will stimulate more than the five senses; they will incite a renewed appreciation for global customs and educate guests about the multitude of cultural programs available in the community.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 20 at Mill Creek Regional Park, the event will feature activities for all ages, including international cuisine and entertainment by dance troupes, singers and many others. While parents browse through bazaar-style booths with cultural items for sale, children can enjoy arts and crafts, such as sand art, Mexican paper flowers and jewelry making, in the “It’s a Small World” exhibit.

Middle and high school students from Bulloch, Emanuel and Screven counties will represent eight countries in the Global Village. As part of a competition, each will display facts and information about their nation, demonstrate native customs and share more of what they learned during their research. The University’s Global Ambassadors worked with the middle and high school students to develop creative and accurate presentations.

Event coordinator Angie Threatte said it’s the collaboration between Georgia Southern students and community members, as well as the event’s focus on education, which make it unique.
“Georgia Southern’s International Festival cannot be compared to others because of its rich educational focus,” said Threatte, who has coordinated the event since its inception. “Presenting students dive deeper into the nation’s history than they would in a typical book report or school paper. The overall experience provides exposure to distant cultures, not often represented in the local community; it opens their eyes to a vast world and makes them better global citizens.”

Initiated in 2005 by the Center for International Studies, the festival was designed to be an outlet through which Georgia Southern’s international student population — which represents 98 countries — could share their customs and educate community members about their cultures. Many of the presenters and performers are students in undergraduate programs at Georgia Southern. For more information, go to: www.georgiasouthern.edu/intfest.