Prepare for a week of unique experiences and activities as Global Vision Week commences. This Saturday night, Nov. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hub, the International Club, with its collection of song, dance and story, kicks off the annual celebration of Global Vision Week, a time devoted to honoring and exploring the different cultures represented within Northwestern’s campus community.
“I don’t think anyone should miss the International Coffeehouse because it’s going to be a really fun and relaxed time to enjoy some of the many talents of our student body,” said I-Club vice president Glory Benson of the event, the beginning to the Intercultural Office’s Global Vision Week.
Robi Bogdanffy agrees. “It’s going to be a blast, as well as an educational experience.”
Senior Yuika Ida will be sharing her cultural background by demonstrating tate. “Tate is a Japanese sword performance. It is similar to samurai and ninja fighting that is often seen in movies,”Ida said. Similar to Ida, Yui Shiotani will be demonstrating karate.
Along with these two acts are Yukiko Higashino and Kai-Hao Chen who are sharing their musical talents with the piano and Kumi Sato who is demonstrating the Japanese tradition of the tea ceremony. A few others from the I-Club will be performing. The I-Club has also invited international students from Dordt to come perform as well.
“Global Vision Week is an opportunity for everyone to cross over the boundaries of language, culture or country by learning and being aware,” said I-Club president Bibek Karki. “I got involved because I feel like there are many students who don’t talk about these issues. It is necessary for us to have a place to communicate so that we all can better learn together.”
Highlighting this idea of “learning together,” Global Vision Week has dedicated the week of Nov. 13 through Nov. 19 to activities commemorating the cultural heritages of NW students while providing the student body with opportunities to connect with NW’s global education programs.
Every day introduces a new entertainment or educational experience, including a screening of Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing,” a lunch presentation on Muslim-Christian relations by religion professor John Hubers, Wednesday’s Global Vision Fair, a prayer concert by NW’s Gospel Choir and Friday’s I-Club chapel.
“Global Fair is my favorite,” said Christine Roy. “It gives us a opportunity to learn fun facts and hear the stories of students from other countries on campus.”
“The whole week is an opportunity to get connected to the outside world, not just community,” said Bogdanffy. “And students should know that I-Club is open to everyone!”
Benson adds, “If you want to get more involved with I-Club, the first thing to do is just make an effort to stop by the Intercultural Office in the RSC. We want students to feel comfortable going in there to hang out no matter where you are from.”
“There are many other year-long multicultural opportunities at NW. You can join I-Club, apply for the position of multicultural intern, join La Mosaic or Gospel Choir,” Karki said. “Or you could always take your initiative and start something new!”