On Saturday, Pittsburg State University students from around the world gathered to celebrate a night of global culture. The International Showcase has evolved over the last four years.
This year’s event featured performances and interactive displays from 21 countries: Brazil, China, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Palau, Paraguay, South Korea, India, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, France, Germany, Philippines, Peru, Cambodia, Nepal and United States
The night started in the main performance hall of the Bicknell center. Students performed song and dance routines for attendees. Carlos Aguilar of Hispanics of Today was one student who performed at the showcase.
Last year, Aguilar performed at the event with other members of Hispanics of Today, but took to the stage solo this year to sing.
“This year compared to last year was really more nerve wracking because I was solo,” he said. “But I knew what I was capable of and I went out and killed it.”
He sang ‘Sabor a Mí’ by Eydie Gormé - a song that is, according to him, an old Bolero, an old romantic love song. Aguilar says that the organization is open to everyone, regardless of where you are from.
“You do not just need to be hispanic or latino,” said Aguilar “We take everyone under our wing.”
PSU Graduate student Gabi Alvarez represented her home country Paraguay during the showcase.
“As a Paraguayan we are really proud to represent our country and also to share our culture,” said Alvarez.
For Alvarez, this year's showcase was especially meaningful - it's her final semester at PSU.
“I was an exchange student here and I came back to do my masters, and the reason is because the community is amazing.” added Alvarez.
After the song and dance performance, each country had interactive booths. One of the booths represented various countries in Africa. PSU graduate student Favour Bassey is from Nigeria and part of the African Student Association. She said the country's representation is very unique.
“I think today we have five countries. Nigeria, which is my home country, we have Ivory Coast, we have Ghana, we have Senegal, and we have Gabon,” added Bassey.
The Pittsburg State International program hosts over 150 international students from 33 countries.
“It's really beautiful because even coming to the United States, my main goal was to connect with international students,” said Bassey. “Pitt State has that, so it’s really very special to me to see my friends from different countries.”
Not only did the displays offer students the chance to share their culture with the Pittsburg community, but also the chance to share it with students from other parts of the world. Junior International Student Ke Wang from China felt proud as the event came to a close.
“I feel diversity,” she said. “Because there’s so many countries representing their own culture and tradition.”
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