Tons of flags from all over the world were strewn around Reid Ballroom to help set the stage for Whitman’s International Night. On April 14, international students gathered for the evening to help share parts of their culture and heritage with the greater Whitman community. The buzz the festivities generated was undeniable as Reid was filled with students, staff, faculty and Walla Walla community members.
Organized by the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and WEB, the event showcased Whitman’s international student population. From poems that crossed linguistic borders to cultural songs and dances and even a dance workshop, the night provided multiple ways for attendees to engage.
For first-year Tabish Navaid, who is an international student from India, the evening’s variety made it exciting.
“It was an amazing experience, amazing food, amazing performances, everything was amazing and it was lovely being around so many people; I loved it,” Navaid said.
As an event specifically for international students, audience members got to experience different traditions and learn more about Whitman’s international community. The students participating dressed up in traditional attire, which was highlighted in the fashion show.
ISSS’s assistant director and Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services & Faculty-Led OCS Programs, Laura Cummings, was excited about the event’s growth.
“Last year probably had over 200, this year we had about 250 to 275, and so we’re rethinking how we want to accommodate so many people,” Cummings said.
Deo Rubangakene, a first year from Tanzania, explained that these events create a safe space for international students to share pieces of their lives back home. For Rubangakene, who recited a poem about finding home to introduce a dance act, art provides a special way to engage with others.
“Getting the opportunity to share the arts with different people makes me feel like a part of a bigger community because I think art or poetry is very intimate,” Rubangakene said.
Rubangakene highlighted his gratitude for the campus’ interest in the international community and introduced the new Global Whitties club. The club aims to promote awareness and interest in all matters impacting international students while celebrating students’ cultures.
“We want to be a community of intention that bridges the invisible divide between domestic and international students … leveling our idea of a tight-knit community and having more opportunity to display cultures and traditions,” Rubangakene said. “Global Whitties is going to be that space to move away from what media portrays our countries as, and we get to tell our stories how we want it to get told.”
The new club hopes to open a space beyond International Night to help campus educate themselves more on international matters. For Cummings, the growth of the event and international student engagement means the future will hold more programming with more attendees.
“I hope to achieve a more streamlined event so we don’t have such long food lines and so we can accommodate all the people who want to come, and I hope to add a possible Fall event,” said Cummings.
For Rubangakene, events like these can help bridge gaps that sometimes exist between international and domestic students by offering avenues for support.
“In my experience, people are very fast to pounce on you when you make a mistake, and I think they just need to give us more grace and be more friendly, especially when there’s so much anxiety around the atmosphere,” Rubangakene said.
Being mindful and respectful is crucial when it comes to interacting with international students, and for Navaid, the support from friends at the event was a special part of the evening.
“I ask all of my domestic friends to come to these events, and I’m really happy when they do show up, it’s always lovely,” Navaid said.
International Night next year plans to offer another great show filled with fashion, artwork and dancing to meet growing demand from students.