VSU Hosts 39th Annual International Dinner April 4

VALDOSTA — The Society for International Students at Valdosta State University will present its 39^th annual international dinner — Ignite Cultural Curiosity — at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, in the Student Union Ballrooms.

Tickets are on sale now at the Center for International Programs, 204 Georgia Ave., and cost $10 for current VSU students with a valid identification card, as well as area elementary and middle school students; $15 for area high school students; and $25 for VSU faculty and staff and other adults from the surrounding communities. Children under the age of 5 will be admitted free of charge.

Ignite Cultural Curiosity is an opportunity for VSU’s international students to share part of their culture with the people of South Georgia. The celebration of cultural diversity will begin with appetizers, side dishes, entrees, and desserts prepared by students from Puerto Rico, Belize, Mexico, Ghana, Colombia, Morocco, Russia, and Saudi Arabia under the supervision of Chartwells, or V-State Dining. The meal will be served buffet style. 

Throughout the evening, guests will have an opportunity to participate in a silent auction featuring items donated by some of VSU’s international students. There will be singing, dancing, and musical performances and a fashion show featuring attire traditionally worn around the world. Entertainment will also be provided by such campus organizations as Women of Diversity and African Students Association.

“It is a night to experience culture and diversity through food and entertainment,” said Loanne Liu, an international student from Belize.

“This event helps bring the VSU and Valdosta community closer, as well as showcase the different cultures of the students that attend Valdosta State,” said Danielle Bacud, international student advisor with the Center for International Programs.

VSU has between 350 and 400 international students from more than 40 countries on campus this semester. More than half of those countries — Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Honduras, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Belgium, El Salvador, Spain, South Korea, Turkmenistan, Russia, Bahamas, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Canada, Ecuador, Germany, Denmark, Japan, China, Mexico, and Paraguay — will be represented at the dinner.

Danielle Bacud may be reached at (229) 333-7410 or cdbacud@valdosta.edu for more information.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/international-programs/

http://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/international-programs/student-information/international-dinner.php

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.