19th annual Festival of Cultures celebrates diversity of CSB and SJU campuses

There are 3,675 undergraduate students attending the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University this fall.

You might ask, "Where the heck do all these students come from?" Good question — they come from 40 states and 21 countries (international students make up 4 percent of the overall student population).

The schools will celebrate that diversity with the 19th annual Festival of Cultures beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Clemens Field House, CSB.

The festival recognizes the diversity of CSB/SJU through student performances, cultural food sampling and a fashion show. But it is more than just food, fashion, performances and fun, according to Brandyn Woodard, director of Intercultural and International Student Services at CSB and SJU, which sponsors the event.

"It's about the wonderful people in our communities who are sharing of themselves, their cultures and their talents," Woodard said. "It's about reminding ourselves - at least once a year - that our community is diverse and that this annual event is just one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to education, community, our founding monastic communities and the numerous alumnae and alumni whose presence in years gone by have enriched the essence of and paved the way for the Saint Ben's and Saint John's that we have today."

Student performances will be presented celebrating Mexico, Latin America, Somalia, Japan, the Caribbean, Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, South Korea, Hmong, Bahamas, Ireland and Ethiopia. The festival also includes students from the United States who have a strong affinity to other countries, as well as varying cultures within the U.S.

A fashion show will include 15 students, and about 30 booths representing the various countries will be located in the field house.

Woodard said that graduates are also being invited back by the Alumnae Relations office at CSB and the Alumni Relations office and SJU. "We hope to have a moment to recognize those who come back," he said.

There will be a $2 charge for adults, faculty and staff to help offset some of the costs of the festival. Thanks to the generosity of the CSB and SJU Student Senates and the Center for Global Education, all students can attend for free.

"I know this is a change for some, but hopefully previous years' attendees will remember the incredible experience the festival is and will understand this is a very small price to pay for the opportunity to interact with the diversity of our campuses, the outstanding performances and, of course, the stellar culinary skills of our catering staffs at both institutions," Woodard said.