Courtesy photo via Brian Alkins

For many students, especially in this neck of the woods, college is the first opportunity to meet people from vastly different areas of the globe.

According to the University of Maine website, more than 400 international students and scholars from up to 75 countries around the world join the University every year. These students are leaving families, friends and pasts behind to experience studying at the University of Maine, which in some cases means a drastic change in their cultural environment.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, these students seized the opportunity to come together and share the history and culture of their homelands at the 26th annual International Culture Fest. The event was held in the New Balance Recreation Center due to the renovation project taking place at the Field House, where it had been held in past years. The event is put on every year through a collaboration between the Office of International Programs and the International Students Association.

Jessica Bishop, an academic resource specialist for the tutor program on campus, has been one of the primary coordinators of the International Culture Fest for the last three years, as well as a coordinator for the International Dance Festival for the last nine years.

“Everybody visiting today learns so much. It’s educational and it’s fun and people make new friends,” Bishop said. “The international student population on campus is growing, so we’re really excited […] more and more students can get involved so we can get more and more countries’ involvement from people we’ve never seen before or [who] have never been here.”

The event started at 11 a.m. and was open to the public. There were food tables that featured entrees and desserts from 16 different nations as well as 30 tables set up as exhibits for a variety of countries and international organizations on campus. Fifty flags were hung up along the track railing, one for each country represented by the international students in attendance.

“We’re seeing babies up to elderly citizens that are coming over and talking to people they’ve never known before. They’re talking to each other, sitting down, watching capoeira or eating Sri Lankan food,” Bishop said. “You can’t just go to downtown Bangor and get a lot of that.”

Bishop is very excited to be a part of organizing the event and has a passion for experiencing the various cultures on hand.

“I grew up in a high school where there was no culture,” Bishop said. “Coming to the university as an undergrad, I didn’t realize or take advantage of things that other cultures were offering […] There’s so much out there, there’s so much that the international students and staff bring to the table.”

All of the cultural exhibits and food tables are set up by students who hope to educate others about their culture as well as learn about the cultures of others.

Nafeesah Chaudhry is an exchange student from Birmingham, U.K. who is studying childhood education. Chaudhry just arrived at the University of Maine in August and assisted with the creation of the U.K. exhibit.

“We have a map of the U.K. We want to show everyone that there are four distinct countries [in the U.K.],” Chaudhry said. “I’ve brought some Harry Potter memorabilia and Dr. Who [memorabilia]. We collectively brought things that we had […] We brought things to show people where we’re from.”

Chaudhry relished the opportunity to educate her peers about her home country.

“I’m enjoying it,” Chaudhry said. “I want to tell more people about the U.K. I’m also encouraging people to study abroad because it’s worthwhile. It can be hard at times, but you can enjoy a culture you’re not used to. It’s important to do that.”

A style show was held at the end of the event, with participants from various countries displaying the historical clothing of their cultures in a fashion show-style setting.

“When everybody’s here, [they’re wearing] jeans and t-shirts. We don’t have any type of traditional wear, but in other cultures, they do,” Bishop said. “This is an opportunity for them to show what they wear.

“[The world is] a lot bigger than Maine,” Bishop said. “Everyone has something to give to it.”