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INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATES CULTURAL DIVERSITY |
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The 2004 International BizFest sparked the area around the Ryder Business Building on January 21st, entertaining more than 300 business students, faculty, staff, and others from around University Park.
Now celebrating its second anniversary, BizFest is organized by the Business Student Council, a group comprised of business student organization leaders (see related story) and sponsored by the College of Business Administration.
"We see the festival as a way to celebrate the international diversity of our students, who reflect a variety of business norms and practices from around the world," said Business Student Council Liaison Colleen Crouch. "Additionally, it gives student organizations a chance to promote themselves and recruit new members."
Like FIU's, the College's student body is a microcosm of the diverse Miami community, with more than 70% of student enrollment from minority groups: 59.3% Hispanic, 10.9% African American, and 3.7% Asian. Approximately 10% are international students.
"We want our international students to feel welcomed, have a chance to share their cultures and traditions, and meet new people," said Tynisha Campbell, BizFest's culinary coodinator. "BizFest took months of planning and discussing, but it was well worth it."
The event itself featured internationally-themed activities like Mt. Fuji rock climbing, Greek gladiator jousting, and Brazilian soccer competitions. To add to the excitement, the Business Student Council brought in Tama Leao's Polynesian Show, featuring fire eaters and hula dancers.
BizFest also gave free international foods to students who spoke with representatives of the different student organizations at the event. The menu featured Jamaican curry and jerk chicken, Chinese fried rice and fortune cookies, and Mexican soft tacos and tortillas.
But perhaps the most interesting twist was the large map of the world that was created especially for the occasion. Beta Alpha Psi members constructed a thirteen- by nine-foot wall map on which festival-goers were encouraged to insert push pins to designate their countries of origin.
"You could see the fascination behind people's eyes as they looked at all the places in the world represented there," Crouch said. "Some of the students learned a bit of geography, too."
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