International Evening 2016: a night to remember
One of the most valuable aspects of a study abroad experience is the opportunity for cross-cultural emersion. As an international student, you are taken out of your comfort zone and forced to experience new cultures, meet new and interesting people, and forge connections that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Saturday’s International Evening was a night filled with those opportunities.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
The night began with tastings of traditional dishes, desserts, and drinks from a multitude of countries. My roommate and I shuffled through the crowded line in attempts to try everything we could. All the students serving were visibly enthused to be sharing their cuisine, and were eager to answer my questions about the preparation and significance of each dish.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
Students fervently filled their empty stomachs with dishes such as the delicious Jordanian bread with thyme, the German pretzels with sweet mustard, and my personal favorite the Czech bread with garlic spread and mandarins.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
The foods were a mix of sweet and spice, vegetarian and meat, each country bringing a unique and tasty dish to the table. By the time we reached the end of the line we had consumed well over a full meal of snacks.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
After everyone had swarmed the dinner tables and eaten their fill, they eagerly turned their attention to the presentations on stage. Each country that presented brought a unique blend of song and dance to the stage, each gracing the audience with their own individual incomparable energy.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
The incredibly talented and rhythmic Nigerian dancers had the audience shuffling their feet and grooving along, while the Spanish presentation had the entire audience unabashedly dancing the Macarena.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
The presentations were filled with amazing and upbeat musical performances and high energy from each of the performers. It’s a truly incredible experience to have the performers and the audience so engaged with each other and with the music that they derive excitement from the others energy.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
With full stomachs, a few drinks and a warm up of high-energy performances everyone hit the after party. I danced for so long that I immediately regretted my choice of heels, but I was having so much fun that I barely noticed my own pain. Students danced with friends and strangers alike, all sharing in the same excitement when the DJ threw it back with an Earth Wind and Fire song towards the middle of his set.
Photo: Mirkó Márk, UnivPécs
Students glided sloppily along the beer slicked dance floor towards the end of the night, a smile on each and everyone’s face. When I left the party showed no signs of dying down, proving to me that this year’s International Evening was more than a success, it was a night to remember.
Kristen Bell
