M
n
by Verena E. Maethner
Whether he was born and raised in
Oshkosh or Osaka, the student interested
in the myriad hues of culture in the world
has amply opportunity for discovery at
UNL.
A total of 13 different organizations
and programs exist here to establish
closer relationships between foreign
students and American students and
among the foreign students themselves.
All of the programs are designed to
involve both American and foreign
students in some way or other.
Much of the value in these programs
lie in providing students with a place and
time to get together and learn from each
other. But periodically most
organizations also sponsor a special event
such as a slide show, dress show or social
function.
What follows, then, is a listing of the
organizations and some of the up-coming
events.
International Club is kind of the parent
organization for foreign students on
campus. They keep track of foreign
students, help them with problems,
sponsor many of the other organizations.
On Nov. 17, foreign student night will
happen in the Union Ballroom. Involving
all of the foreign students and many
Americans, it is perhaps the biggest social
event of the year. For more information
on this or on membership, contact
Mehmet Antan in the Union, room 336.
International House makes it possible for
students from all over the world to live
together. Now, two floors of Women's
Residence Hall is filled with students
from 18 different countries. Activities
included a coffee-house, speakers,
language tables, slide shows and informal
social events, and are open to everyone.
Residents are chosen on interest and
nationality.
The Chinese Student Assn. has a Chinese
tea house set up every Friday afternoon
at St. Marks on Campus. They also run
free Mandarin and Cantonese classes and
sponsor Chinese movies from time to
time. Later a Chinese Christmas dinner
and New Year's party are planned.
The Indian Assn. also sponsors Indian
movies at times. Times and places are
announced in the Daily Nebraskan. Their
big event, India Night, happened earlier
this semester.
The Muslim Assn. is the only group which
limits its membership. It is designed to
provide Muslims an opportunity to
practice their religion at Friday prayer
meetings in the Union. But everyone is
invited to attend their Sunday afternoon
meHjngs in the Union to learn more
abouMslan. Nov. 11, at 6:30, at Wesley
Foundation, EID-UL-FITR (the end of
the holy month of Ramadan) will be
celebrated and is a good opportunity to
learn more of Islam. The program
includes a short movie about the
pilgrimage to Mecca and a native dress
show.
The Arab Student Assn. has monthly
meetings designed for discussion of
problems facing the Arabic world. Also,
plans are being made for an Arabic night
later this year.
The African Assn. has the distinction of
including not only UNL African students,
but also students from Wesleyan and
Omaha. The group is trying to establish
an organization which will carry over
back to their own countries.
The Italian Club will host an international
banquet dinner, Nov. 12, at International
House. One dollar pays for all you can
eat. Also, informal discussion and social
gatherings happen periodically.
German Club will probably hold its first
meeting next week, time and place to be
announced in the Daily Nebraskan. A
Christmas Party as well as slides and talks
about German, Switzerland, and Austria
are planned.
The International Women's Group, as the
name implies, is designed to give foreign
women (whether they are wives or
students themselves) a sense of
community. Meetings are held on the first
and third Wednesday mornings, at First
Presbyterian Church. Baby sitting and
transportation are provided. Activities
include tea and talk, playing world games,
world songs, dinner with husbands and
working on decorations.
The host family program attempts to.
bring together foreign students and
American families in an almost-family
atmosphere. The program now includes
285 American families. The families are
given the names of UNL foreign students
and they then try to work out time to get
together. The program can provide
Americans close-up perspectives on
different cultures and can provide the
foreign student help in surviving his initial
period of cultural shock.
YWCA, although not exclusively involved
with foreign students, does sponsor an
international luncheon for foreign and
American students at the Lutheran
Chapel, Thursday noons. Cost-50 cents
for students, 75 cents for non-students.
Also, a French Club and a Latin
American Club are now being organized.
International
Night
Nov. 1 7th - Union Ballroom -8:00
p.m. 50 - tickets on sale
Obtain tickets at international student office
and union ticket offices, also at the door-
NATIVE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
