By Miranda Parrish
Elm Staff Writer
The Global Education Office hosted their annual International Education Week from Monday, Nov. 14 to Friday, Nov. 18.
The first event, flag chalking on the Cater Walk, was on Monday, where students drew the flags of their home countries or countries where they have lived in order to share information and promote diversity amongst the student body.
The festivities continued with international TED Talks on Tuesday. From 6 to 7 p.m. in the Egg, international students gave short presentations on the experience of studying abroad and information on Washington College’s partner institutions.
The week ended with an international coffee hour at the Foster House on Friday from 4 to 5 p.m.
One of the largest events of the celebration was World Culture Night. On Thursday in the Goose Nest from 6 to 8 p.m., the Student Government Association partnered with the Global Education Office to host a potluck.
Many international students cooked dishes from their countries to share with the student body. There was also traditional music, dance, and dress.
Participants were from a variety of countries and class years, but all enjoyed being involved in the week’s events.
Senior Dasha Shirokova came to the College for the opportunity to study in the United States.
“I’ve always wanted to study in the United States. It’s been a dream of mine since 14, and finally I came here and tonight I’m introducing an Armenian pastry,” Shirokova said. “I’m half Armenian and half Russian and a citizen of both countries, so I decided to represent Armenia today.”
According to Shirokova, the original version of the pastry includes sugar and dough, and the other includes walnuts. It’s often eaten while drinking tea.
Junior Marion Morio came to WC for a similar reason to Shirokova.
“I always dreamed of studying in the U.S. and when I was at my home university in France, I decided to study abroad in U.S. to explore,” Morio said. “I love the community and it was one of the best choices.”
For World Culture Night, Morio made Croziflette, a pasta with cheese, bacon, and cream that is often eaten in winter after skiing.
Freshman Akshara Oruganti made Kesari, which is made from semolina flour, cashews, sugar, and clarified butter.
“It’s sweet [enough that] we eat it after meals, but because it’s not too sweet its eaten at breakfast in the southern parts of India where I’m from,” Oruganti said.
The international students may all be from different parts of the world, but they all hope to explore during their time at the College.
“I’ve already been to New York [City], so that was fun,” Oruganti said. “I’m going to [Washington] D.C. during Thanksgiving and I’d like to see the West Coast too.”
Morio, too, hopes to see more of the U.S. before the end of her college career.
“I only went to Chicago to see a French study abroad friend and for thanksgiving I’m going to Boston,” Morio said. “And I’d like to go to the NYC trip in December.”
Each of the student’s dishes represented different parts of the world, while sharing a glimpse of the diversity and importance of the international community at WC.
“I think the international community here is very warm and supported and I think it’s really great that I have friends from all over the world,” Shirokova said.
Photo by Ava MacKinnon
Photo Caption: International students shared dishes and desserts, as well as information, from their various home countries.