iFest

         

          International Festival is something that takes place on campus, either outside or in the Reynolds Room, once every school year. This is a festival for anyone who wants to participate. Tables from all different countries are set up in a room and people from those countries tell others about their country. A few of the UAFS students performed dances and songs from their countries. This festival lasts for about 3 hours. Also, the first 100 people to show up get a free t-shirt. I know how much college students love t-shirts, and free stuff. This is a wonderful experience for other students to learn about different countries and what people do that are from those countries. This was my first experience with iFest and I really enjoyed it.

Black Friday Shopping!

       SHOPPING! Who doesn’t love shopping? Black Friday is a day that everybody goes shopping for Christmas presents and things that are on sale. Many people will stay awake all night shopping. Some people get mean and crazy when someone else takes the thing that they want to buy. Some families make it a tradition to go Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving night. I went Black Friday shopping for the first time last year with my International buddies. It was so fun. I think that my International buddies really enjoyed it too because it was also their first time going Black Friday shopping. If you’ve never been, you should definitely go this year. :)

Thanksgiving Day

In a few more weeks, it will be Thanksgiving Day. During Thanksgiving Day, many people gather together to eat delicious food together. Food that are commonly served during Thanksgiving Day is pecan pies, pumpkin pie, potatoes, stuffing, cranberry pie, vegetables, biscuits with gravy, and turkey or ham. Thanksgiving is a national holiday for all American families that have started ever since the Pilgrims have settle in the United States. It is known to be a big feast where both the Native Americans and Pilgrims join together for dinner. This holiday is usually a day where many families express how thankful for the things that they have receive in their life. Join families across the United States in this delightful holiday!

International Festival

International Festival is a great time to enjoy some food from different parts of the world as well as entertainment. This is a great way for international students to not only learn about the American culture, but also the diversity of cultures in the United States. Many students will get to see different kinds of clothing from around the world and learn about different kinds of cultures and languages. This is usually a really fun event with over 500 attendees. There are more fun events to do and many more things to see. Do not miss out on the International Festival. 

Be Stress Free :)

          Don’t stress out. As the semester is coming to a close, many students become overwhelmed with the amount of homework and tests they have to do and study for. We need to take things slow and take it day by day. We do not need to worry and stress out about things that are in the future. Procrastination gets the best of us though, we wait until the last minute to do things and that is not good either. We, as students, need to find a happy medium. We do not need to be so worried about things in the future, but we also do not want to put off things until the very last minute. So, do not stress. Study and do your best. J

Pumpkin Carving!

          Did you know that pumpkins in America and pumpkins in Asia are not the same things? Around the end of October, Halloween, and the beginning of November people begin to carve pumpkins in America. In America, pumpkins are big, round, and orange. They whole season of fall revolves around leaves and pumpkins here in America. In Asia, Kabocha are considered pumpkins and are not as popular as the American pumpkin is here. In America many families gather together to carve pumpkins. Once a pumpkin has been carved, it then become a thing called a Jack-O-Lantern. Jack-O-Lanterns are mainly associated with Halloween because families put them outside when people come to go trick or treating. Today, October 30, 2014, the Office of International Relations is hosting a pumpkin carving event where all students can come and carve pumpkins together. I am excited because I have never carved a pumpkin before. I think that it will be fun!

Homecoming Bonfires

Every year for Homecoming, we have many events to do that on that week. One of the most enjoyed events would be the Homecoming Bonfires. During that time, students would get together around a bonfire, a celebration of where many people surrounds this fire in the middle, and just make s’mores and talk about campus life. Many students including student organizations on campus come together and do cheer stunts and just have a great time with each other. Not only are they enjoy the night with s’mores, but also fireworks are used to accompany the students during that night. It is one of the best time to make new friends and just get to know people. It is a great way to know about organizations on campus and just have a great time. I would totally recommend that all international students get to experience this event at least once in their life.