Annual International Students Association Extravaganza Begins Monday

The annual International Students Association Extravaganza will transform the Landis Atrium of the Farinon Center into a cultural mecca next week.

Dedicated to showcasing the unique history, culture, and tradition of countries around the globe, the event will feature ethnic music, dance, a picture show, and games to test participants’ knowledge of the region de jour.

All events are free and open to the public.

The Extravaganza will highlight individual continents from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Landis Atrium. Evening discussions from 7-8 p.m. will explore important cultural issues.

The Extravaganza kicks off Monday with an East Asian exposition and additional South Asian, European and Mediterranean, African, and Latin American and Caribbean displays in the days that follow.

On Saturday, a Grand Finale beginning at 6 p.m. in the Bergethon Room of Marquis Hall will draw the week’s events to a close. The schedule includes a fashion show, ethnic dances, short skits, and a performance by the band Culture Shock.

The full schedule:

• Monday, 11:30 a.m. — East Asia Exposition, Landis Atrium, Farinon College Center.
• Monday, 7 p.m. — discussion, “Unpacking Interracial Relationships,” Pardee Hall, Room 201.
• Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. — South Asia Exposition, Landis Atrium.
• Tuesday, 7 p.m. — discussion, “Racial Stereotypes in Products: Humorous or Offensive,” Pardee Hall, Room 217.
• Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. — Europe and Mediterranean Exposition, Landis Atrium.
• Wednesday, 7 p.m. — discussion, “The Violent Soul of America: Bowling for Columbine,” Pardee Hall, Room 101. Includes footage from the movie.
• Thursday, 11:30 a.m. — Africa Exposition, Landis Atrium, Farinon College Center.
• Thursday, 7 p.m. — discussion, “Women’s Rights in Developing Countries,” Pardee Hall, Room 101.
• Friday, 11:30 a.m. — Latin American and Caribbean Exposition, Landis Atrium.
• Friday, 4 p.m. — ISA barbecue, includes food, music, dance, sports, and nargiles, the Quad.
• Saturday, 6 p.m. — food festival and wine tasting, Bergethon Room, Marquis Hall. Food will be prepared by ISA members.
• Saturday, 7:30 p.m. — Grand Finale, featuring fashion shows, dances, short skits, and the band Culture Shock, Bergethon Room.

The Extravaganza is organized by ISA with the assistance of its adviser, Amale Gaffney, director of the language laboratory, the offices of the Dean of Studies and Dean of Students, Lafayette Intercultural Networking Council, Association of Black Collegians, Lafayette African and Caribbean Students Association, Asian Cultural Association, and Hispanic Society of Lafayette.

ISA is a 309-member organization of students from more than 60 countries on five continents. The association began as a forum for international students, but has grown into a powerful body that includes a diverse group of “global citizens.”

ISA officers are: Metin Aslantas ’03 (Istanbul, Turkey), president; Shivani Malhotra ’03 (Bangalore, India), vice president; Gozde Ulas ’05 (Mersin, Turkey), secretary; Ajay Hirani ’04 (Maharashtra, India) and Mayank Lahiri ’05 (Muscat, Oman), public relations coordinators; Silvia Veltcheva ’03 (Racine, Wisc.), sports coordinator; Mark Torres ’05 (Schiphol, Netherlands), travel coordinator; Oliver Bowen ’05 (Johannesburg, South Africa), Inku Subedi ’05 (Kathmandu, Nepal), and Xiomara Villalva ’05 (West Chester, Pa.), peer advisers, Aly Dewji ’06 (Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania) and Simon Mushi ’06 (Gaborone, Botswana), web developers; Farah Arabe ’04 (Bogata, Columbia), WorldWise editor in chief; and Monika Serrano ’04 (Caracas, Venezuela), treasurer.