The OU International Advisory Committee held its annual International Bazaar on Friday, bringing together all international organizations to showcase their respective communities.
Representatives from 20 organizations presented tables with food, decorations and games of their cultures for students to explore. Set up on the South Oval each year, the bazaar serves as an introduction to the diverse communities at OU.
After visiting the bazaar last year, Waniya Shafiq, IAC member, said she was inspired to become more involved with cultural organizations on campus.
“Going to these events helps me grow as a person,” Shafiq said. “I get to learn about other people's culture, try other people's food, and I look forward to the bazaar every year.”
Some organizations sold food and drinks of different cultures, including mango lassi, rice pudding and Colombian coffee. For Aniketh Koneru, internal vice president of the OU Indian Student Association, the bazaar is an opportunity to tour the world.
“We're bringing the world to the fingertips of OU,” Koneru said. “It brings a sense of community, and you can take yourself around the world without having to buy a plane ticket.”
The bazaar is also a way to increase awareness about international associations on campus. Paulina Castillo, cultural chair of the OU Colombian Student Association, said the bazaar is a great way to introduce students to international organizations that they otherwise may not have been aware of.
“Being (at the bazaar) is so important to making our community grow, and that more people know us,” Castillo said. “You don't need to be Colombian to be part of us.”
According to Paula Bogere, career development chair of the OU East African Alliance, many students in international communities are unaware of campus resources for them. Bogere said the bazaar can be the place where those students find their second home.
According to OU Factbook, 43.8% of all OU students are non-white or not U.S. citizens. Being at a predominately white institution makes international associations and events like the bazaar more necessary, Bogere said.
“At (predominantly white institutions), diverse communities usually get swallowed up and feel lost,” Bogere said. “International organizations give people a home away from home, and enable people to enter spaces they have never grown up in around Oklahoma.”
The IAC will host further programming throughout the year, such as its annual gala and Eve of Nations celebration. For Shafiq, the International Bazaar and other IAC events provide a safe space to international students on campus.
“It’s really important to make sure the international society here at OU is seen and heard,” Shafiq said. “We like putting many different cultures all in one place to show students a part of everyone’s culture, make everyone feel welcome and also like they're at home.”
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ismael Lele and Ana Barboza. Gretchen Schultz and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
