CultureFest adds international flavor to Welcome Week

Freshman Keaton O’Connor wants to travel the world.

One day, he said, he’ll jump on a plane and study abroad. Until then, he’s getting a taste of the cultures of the world during his first week at IU.

“I figured CultureFest was a pretty good place to start my plans,” he said.

 O’Connor and his friends were among the hundreds of people who attended the 12th annual CultureFest on Thursday.

Since the first CultureFest in 1999, the Office of First Year Experience Programs has used the event as an introduction to cultural diversity on campus.

“In a lighthearted way, it introduces a very serious subject,” said Doug Bauder, coordinator for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Support Services Office. “You can have fun learning about people who are different than you.”

Guest speaker Preacher Moss, a comedian, encouraged students to be more than observers of diversity.

As a self-described young, black Muslim whose first job was teaching in a Catholic school, Moss said he knows what it’s like not to identify with the culture of those around you.

“Don’t just step outside of the box,” Moss said. “Understand the function of
the box.”

Following the presentation, students engaged in activities outside the IU
Auditorium.

Workers provided food, caricatures and henna tattoos beneath tents surrounding Showalter Fountain.

Students who attended the presentation portion of the event received vouchers for free food.

Two stages showcased 10 varying musical groups throughout the evening.
Every campus culture center was represented, including La Casa Latino Cultural Center, the Leo R. Dowling International Center, the Asian Culture Center and the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

Some new students said they were right at home in the diverse atmosphere. Freshman Kristin Marvel said as a Caucasian, she was a minority in her high school.
 
She chose IU for its international reputation.

“Diversity is the real world,” Marvel said. “Why would I avoid it?” 

Others said they had never seen so many cultures in one place.

“In my high school, the white kids never talked to the Hispanic kids,” freshman Nichole Herendeen said. “Now I’m at IU, and my roommate is from China. It’s a big change.”

Due to its popularity in the series of Welcome Week events, CultureFest brought out upperclassmen who attended and staffed the event.

“I get excited for this event every year,” said junior Araceli Gomez, employee of La Casa. “It’s just a great part of the IU experience.”

CultureFest coordinator Melanie Payne said she hopes the event will set the tone for the rest of Welcome Week and the rest of the year for new students.

“What an opportunity it is to get to know people who are not like yourself,” Payne said. “You’ll get to know yourself better.”