American culture focus of ‘Road Trip’ international student event

Barbecue chicken, lemonade stands and the electric slide may be familiar to most Americans.

But to some international students, the traditions could be, well, foreign concepts.

To help these students, Willkie Quad staff has organized an information fair titled the “Great American Road Trip.”

The imaginary trip begins at 5 p.m. Friday in the Willkie informal lounge in the center
building.

Senior and Willkie Community Educator Annissa Michael said the event is geared toward international students who wish to learn the “why” behind
American traditions.

“They suggested they wanted to get to know more about American residents,” Michael said. “That’s not too much to ask for.”

Visitors to the “Road Trip” will receive a passport that will be filled with stickers from various booths they can visit, Michael said.

An American food booth will serve barbecue chicken. A holidays booth will feature information on how Americans celebrate Christmas and the Fourth of July.
Activities and traditions booths will feature card games and a lemonade stand.
The final booth will teach international students about American music and dances and other popular culture.

After filling their passports, students can turn them in for a souvenir gift bag that includes a recipe book, poppers and a mix CD.

Michael said the idea for the event came from a floor president and senior Carly Jerome, who talked to international students living in Willkie.

Jerome said many of the students said they didn’t feel welcome at past Willkie events.

“A lot of them didn’t feel like the other events have been directed towards them, so we asked them what they were looking for,” Jerome said. “They said they wanted more knowledge about American culture and to feel more welcome.”

Senior Kiara Abdulla, another Willkie floor president and the creator of the event’s mix CD, said some international students said they have trouble feeling like they are a part of American culture.

“These students come to America to be a part of America, but they said they find themselves in classes surrounded by other international students, or on floors surrounded by other international students,” Abdulla said. “There’s a lot of things at IU
that say it’s okay for us to be a part of their culture — we can do the same for ours.”

While the event is focused on the international students, Abdulla said she hopes American students will also participate, as the traditions being displayed are only as important as the people who keep them alive.

“America is a melting pot,” she said. “It’s important to have all the ingredients.”

For more information, visit www.indiana.edu/~willkie/home.php.