The FAO lobby was transformed into a lively showcase of global cultures during the annual Cultural Exchange Event on November 13th, the International Student Support (ISS) team at USF World kicking off International Education Month with a vibrant celebration.
With 19 student organizations tabling, the event offered attendees a chance to experience traditions, foods, and activities from around the world without having to leave campus. Past the check-in table, students had the opportunity to check out cultural tables and sample an international menu representing eight different countries. Students also got to learn about the USF Global Networks which connect current students to alumni and allow alumni to join a global community of Bulls for life.
Each student organization table had an interactive activity designed to teach attendees about their heritage and community on campus. Students explored a variety of cultures including Brazilian, Israeli, Jamaican, Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Kazakh, among others. From learning about cultural traditions to hearing about upcoming student organization events, participants had the opportunity to connect directly with USF鈥檚 international community.
The ISS team also hosted several sessions鈥攁 fun competition testing student geography skills鈥� throughout the event. This provided students a sneak peek at the upcoming GeoGuessr Competition happening later this month, also at FAO.
An event highlight was experiencing the diverse food selection including pierogies, cheese bread, naan with tikka masala, macarons, meatballs, taquitos, matcha lattes, and kimbap. Each dish represented a different culture. To receive a plate, attendees completed a checklist challenge, visiting cultural tables to engage with students and learn about their organizations before earning a ticket for their free meal.
The Cultural Exchange Event continues to serve as a space for students to celebrate, share traditions, and build meaningful cross-cultural connections: one table at a time.