International Week at ISU

We now have our first International Week under our belts.  It was a great experience and definitely an event that schools back in the states could benefit from.  The week is designed to look at and celebrate different cultures.  The week started with an international potluck at school that would put the most diverse mall food court to shame.  The school had tables arrange based on geographical location.  Families and staff of 25-30 nationalities cooked, baked and brought foods from their respective cultures.  There was Vegemite from Australia, kimbob from S. Korea, American brownies (not those kind), Peruvian, Kuwaiti, and various African country delights, just to name only a few.  Anyone trying to taste something from each     country probably would have put on 10 lbs.  Monday was host country day when everyone was expected to wear something from Mongolia.  The last blog gave a glimpse of what some people looked like but the sight of seeing more than 300 people dressed in various Mongolian attire was one of those pinch moments when the question is asked, "Is this for real?" The day started in the gym with a talk by the director about the purpose of International Week to the masses.   The assembly included a performance by a throat singer and horse head fiddler and a contortionist who had people watching with their mouths ajar.   Wednesday,  I joined the PE staff and ran international games.  The first group numbered about 40 so they leg wrestled (Canada, according to the Canadian PE teacher), a game from Denmark that required students to try and push an opponent off a mat without using their hands and the always popular hand slapping game that requires one person to get their opponent to move their feet.  The next session for the 6th graders was a varied form of bombardment courtesy of Denmark that kept them running, throwing and, of course, complaining about rules violations.  Thursday was the parade of nations that parents were invited to.  Students and staff arrived at school dressed in clothing from their home countries or clothing from one of their parent's nationalities.  As Americans we looked pitiful compared to many of the other nationalities traditional costumes.  We needed a few native American outfits.  Students and staff from each country were called onto the stage where a projected image of their flag and their national anthem played while everyone cheered.  It was a moment that brought lumps to throats and tears to eyes.  Friday was reflection day when students discussed or wrote about the importance of acknowledging, celebrating and appreciating diversity.    What a refreshing experience coming from a country that tends to value uniformity.