International Dinner 2013 - An Affair to Remember!
Last night was a great one. As part of my MBA program and just how my personality is, I currently sit as the outgoing president to the international graduate student association. It doesn’t mean a lot considering my board and I function as a team, a democracy and a unit. But what it does mean is that after last night’s event, I (and my other 2nd year board members) are officially done with being active members in student committees.
I apologize for being MIA this week - but now you know what was taking up all my time. It was a great event, and I’m so happy we were able to throw a big bash for our outgoing event. The 2013 International Dinner was a major success!
The Event
It probably is the lease creative name for an event you can think of - The International Dinner - but in reality, the simplicity of it is what provides room for variety, growth and fun. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the diversity in my MBA program in terms of ethnicity, culture, tradition, work experience, friendships and whatever else can be diverse. Each year, the dinner is a hosted potluck style event, where students, faculty and friends all bring something to share with the group. Once dinner is complete, the entertainment begins. And this too is a potluck style. The entertainment this year ranged from presentations on ones country to classical singing to bollywood dancing. We had a huge turnout! Upwards of 200 people came and went throughout the night, sharing in the festivities, food and their own culture.
The Clothes
As part of the entertainment, we put on a fashion show. We asked guests to wear what they consider traditional to their culture and heritage. Some people wore jeans and a shirt, others (like myself and Josha) wore traditional Indian clothes. Check out how great Josha looks! Heck - check out how great everyone at the event looked!
The People
There were a bunch of really great aspects to this event - but the best was the people. It’s a time where it’s cool to be different and stand out from the rest. I really appreciated the effort and courage it took people to step out of their comfort zone and share their heritage and traditions with the rest of us. I think it was my favorite aspect of the entire night.
And if I’d have to give a prize for best dessert, it would have to be the traditional Texas Pecan Pie! (I have no authority or power when giving away this title - but it was a damn good piece of pie and I wish I could have another).
There was also an attempt at an AGSM Harlem Shake video… But I make no promises to its release as I was confused the whole time. (What the heck is the point of this Harlem Shake business anyways?!)
What is one of your favorite cultural traditions?
