The International Students Association held its 26th banquet which was themed international roller coaster ride.
“It happens every year. It’s the biggest event (the ISA) holds,” Nepali ISA President Uttam Sapkota said. “It furthers our aim of promoting and celebrating the diversity of the international world. “
Banquet attendees got a taste of international cuisine and cultural performances from Creighton students as well as outside performers in the Ahmanson Ballroom in the Harper Center.
“We know that everyone wants to travel around the world so we wanted to play with that,” Sapkota said.
The ISA celebrates diversity and their banquet showcases many different cultures for the Creighton community.
“There are so many people who want to know about other cultures and traditions but they don’t know where to go or how to get involved,” Nepali ISA Vice President Asmita Paudyal said. “Having a banquet and putting all the cultures together like India, China, Japan, Thailand (etc.) as a whole package I think is a good deal.”
The banquet, held on Feb. 8, showcased international performances of songs, dances, poems, and prayers and an array of international cuisine from the Khao Kha Moo pork dish from Thailand to the Lebanese dessert Shaaibiat.
“The food is the biggest section because we always accept recipes from people,” Uttam said. “We have food from all around the world. We get recipes from the students so it’s all authentic international food.”
Because the Chinese New Year just passed, this year’s non-Creighton performance was from Chinese Lion Dancers; however there was an array of performances from the Creighton student population.
There was an Indian Bollywood dance, a Hawaiian Hula Dance and a Nepali dance among many other performances.
“It’s an opportunity for us to share our culture and traditions to Creighton and non-Creighton people,” Asmita said. “We have meetings and other events but if we have a huge banquet so many other people can join us”.
The ISA banquet is valuable to both international and domestic students.
“It’s a wonderful way to showcase international cultures and diversity. The ratio of international and American students is not that big so this event is very dear to us international students,” Uttam said. “At the same time it helps American students learn about cultures in different parts of the world. I think that’s a wonderful way to learn about cultures.”
The ISA aims to bring together all students, staff, faculty, and administrators and their family members and people in the Omaha area, whatever nationality they may be, as explained in their mission statement on the ISA website.
“Every international student is a part of it,” Uttam said. (The ISA) “Celebrates the diversity of the international community here at Creighton University and welcomes students from any origin or diversity to be a part of it.”