Cultural event gives CBU students a taste of different nations

Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2022) – The International Center is kicking off its mobilization season with Taste the Nations on Oct. 6.

The event is an introduction to all things global happening at CBU and introduces ways for students to see how they can be involved globally and culturally, said Courtney Watson, director of International Student Services.

Cuisine from every continent excluding Antarctica will be represented at the event. Each station will provide guests with an inside look into how the food is important in each culture and where in the world they can find it.

The main food is catered by Provider, and a local store will provide boba to give students a taste of the popular Taiwanese drink. Additionally, stations will have authentic candy and snacks from various nations.

When planning the menu for the event, International Student Services looked to regions where students call home, Watson said. CBU has 370 international students from more than 60 countries.

“We want to use Taste the Nations to elevate some of our smaller populations,” Watson said. “We hope they feel celebrated and a sense of excitement when they see a little taste of home at CBU.”

Camille Bailey, a communication sciences and disorders senior, works as an event intern at the International Center. She hopes that the international students feel a sense of pride when they see their home represented at the event.

“I hope that through this event, our student population will get a tangible glimpse of the cultural diversity present at CBU,” Bailey said. “My hope is that we would begin to take advantage of the close proximity we have to international students on campus, and we would learn from these students.”

Noelle Avera, an exercise science sophomore, is an event intern as well.

“I wanted to become involved with this event because it gives me the chance to embrace the cultures of international students on campus and make them feel appreciated as people try their food,” Avera said.

One of CBU’s core values is to be globally minded. That can mean taking off the American lens and seeing through somebody else’s lens, Watson said. 

“It’s being able to take yourself out of your culture just for a second and put yourself in the shoes of someone else to see what it’s like,” Watson said. “It’s also being aware of what’s going on around you and being sensitive to things that are happening around the world.”

Watson said it is difficult to share the gospel and relate to other cultures if people have no understanding of the culture.

“Being able to take the posture of a learner and saying, ‘I don’t really know a ton about this culture so I’m here to learn and experience new things’ is the first step in bridging the cultural gap and trying to understand different people and backgrounds,” Watson said.

Taste the Nations will take place on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 6–8 p.m. in Harden Square.