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THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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CAMPUS
International Awareness Week educates students
TOM DEHART news@kansan.com
The International Student Association is hosting its annual International Awareness Week to spread cultural awareness on the University's campus and in the Lawrence Community. The week began with a World Expo in the Kansas Ballroom on Monday, and will be finishing up next Monday with a FIFA tournament co-hosted with Student Union Activities.
The events are bringing to light the University and Lawrence's rich cultural diversity, and, according to one international student, aim to remove some of the stigmas and incorrect perceptions that American students may have toward international students.
"I think it's important for that [international] community to reach out at Kansas because of the stigmas involving international people
sometimes," said Jose Aldana, a freshman from Santa Cruz, Bolivia and member of ISA's cultural team.
Aldana recalled an instance in a classroom where a fellow classmate voiced her ignorance about electricity in Bolivia. "And that really stuck to me, for people to be thinking those things. So it's important to [erase] those stigmas, and also for them to know more about the culture outside of the U.S."
The Expo, Cultural Trivia and an International Food Court in front of the Kansas Union are some of the other events that have already taken place this week.
"It was pretty cool. We did it from 12 to 4, and it was pretty much non-stop action from the minute that we started setting up until people started leaving at 4." International Student Association's public relations coordinator Dustin Wolfe said about the World
expo. "We had people dancing on the stage in the ballroom, doing international dances. We had music going, some people played instruments. We had lots of videos going at each table."
More events are planned for the rest of the week including a Tea at Three event today, and the 62nd annual Festival of Nations in the Woodruff Auditorium Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by an ISA party at The Cave, located at 1200 Oread Ave.
Lavesh Mirpuri said that this week is the biggest week of the year for ISA. According to him, this week is the biggest multicultural event that ISA puts on, but requires student involvement and participation at each of the events.
"Our goal is to promote cultural diversity, and to create awareness within the KU community about different cultures," Mirpuri said. "We
try to promote interactions between different students from different backgrounds, different parts of the world, and just like our slogan says we try to bring the world to KU."
ISAs big event, the Festival of Nations, is on Friday night in the Woodruff Auditorium. However, the ISA will also be participating in The Big Event on campus Saturday.
We wanted to give back to the community," Mirpuri said. "We receive — international students receive — so much support from the Lawrence community, and from students here, [as well as] local students in the U.S., and it's a good time for us to give back to the community in Lawrence that has treated us so well in these years, and just try to do some community service and help some people out."
- Edited by Brook Barnes
TOM DEHART/KANSAN
Alex Thiessen plays a Djembe Wednesday in front of the Kansas Union as a member of the African Drum Ensemble at KU (ADEKU). ADEKU performed Wednesday afternoon while members of ISA provided international food to students and faculty for its International Food Court Event.
PERFORMANCE
Variety show promotes women's contributions to society
MADDY MIKINSK
news@kansan.com
1995 "Letter to Women."
This Friday, the St. Lawrence Institute for Faith and Culture will be sponsoring "The Genius of Women," a variety show dedicated to women around the world, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kansas Room at the Union.
The St. Lawrence Center began producing the show in 2009 after a graduate student brought it to campus from the University of St. Louis. The title is based on Pope John Paul II's
"The purpose of the show is to celebrate the gifts that women have and the dignity they have and to celebrate what it is to be a woman," said Sarah Ekis, a senior from Overland Park. "We are trying to raise awareness to the fact that women have dignity and gifts to offer society as a whole."
Ekis is this year's production team leader. Though she has seen the show before, this is her first year holding a leadership position.
["Before,] I really enjoyed the variety. I am not really a musical person but I love seeing the gifts others have." Ekis said. Katie Leavers from
Kayla Jacques, a senior from
Jacques, who also sings for the KU Choir. She will be performing the song "Oceans" by the band Hillsong. "I really liked the message of the song,
"The purpose of the show is to celebrate the gifts that women have and the dignity they have and to celebrate what it is to be a woman."
Ellis, is one of those talents.
Ellis, is one of those talents. "I have been performing since I was very young," said
SARAH EKIS
Overland Park senior
and my accompanist knew how to play it."
Both Ekis and Jacques agree
that the entire "Genius of Women" process has been a fast-paced one. Auditions were just a week ago. "The first time [my accompanist and I] ran through the song was when we auditioned," Jacques said.
Besides singing, "The Genius of Women" showcases pianists and guitarists and even poetry reading. Some of the performers created their pieces themselves. "I think it's wonderful to have this originality," Ekis said.
An art auction is also part
of the program. The money earned from the auction will be used to construct a shelter for abused children and young mothers in the Diocese of Malindi in Kenya.
"The fact that [the show] is rooted in a good cause is the benefit that comes with it," jacques said.
"The Genius of Women" is open to all members of the Lawrence community.
Edited by Brook Barnes
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