The International Programs 2010 World Cup Watch Party invites students to watch teams from across the globe compete in the World Cup, which can be a reminder for some international students of home, said Shannon English, International Programs adviser.
The International Programs Center felt like there needed to be a celebration for the international students who are going to be here this summer, English said.
She said students are invited to come and view the games on either a 50-inch screen or a 108-inch screen and food from local restaurants and Housing and Food Services will be provided for each game.
“Some of the games will have themed food for the games that are playing,” English said.
Examples would be pizza for games involving Italy and Mexican snacks for games involving Mexico.
English said she knows soccer is not a very popular sport in America, but the sport is popular across the world. And soccer is a sport many international students love to watch and support, she said.
“We have students from all over the world who are going to come to these games and cheer or their teams,” she said. “But I also feel it’s a way for them to get together with American students and international students, and really support a world-wide favorite sport.”
Weihao Zhang, international graduate student, said there are more than 1,900 international students on campus, and soccer is actually the most popular sport outside of the United States.
International students will like to have a place to come and watch the games together with their friends, said Zhang, who is from China.
“It’s better for them to have a really good atmosphere when a lot of people get together and cheer for the team they support,” he said.
Fabiola Alegre Marchand, Peruvian Student Association president, said the watch party is a great idea.
“Most of us don’t have internet or cable, so I think it’s a great event,” Marchand said.
Watching soccer reminds Marchand of her home country of Peru, she said.
Marchand said she remembers going to stadiums and watching soccer matches with her family.
“So it reminds me of my family, my home town,” she said.
Games will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in Hester Hall, Room 170. Weekday morning games also will be televised.
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