United Nations Day encourages community to learn different cultures

International students enjoy sharing their culture and experiences with the community and students. United Nations Day was created by international students to promote the appreciation of their background and learn about other cultures as well. This day is also a day to unite all nations.

by Nicholas Burch staff writer

Diversity affects not only Cabrini's campus, but everywhere.

This is why United Nations Day was created.

UN day, led by Jennifer Marks-Gold, the international club student adviser, and international students, informed students and the community about other cultures.

"I want people to take a look at the international students and get a feel for their backgrounds," Gold said.

Gold led the celebration, along with 28 different representatives that, according to Gold. are proud of their culture and where they came from.

Taeyo Davis, a sophomore from Jamaica, said that it was a hard adjustment to get used to the culture.

''It took a lot of time because my culture respects who you are, not the color," said Davis.

Instead of hating a person for their reaction to her, Davis looks at it in another way.

"Sometimes I experience the disrespect and I feel sad for them," Davis said. "It is all based on how they were brought up."

The original idea for the UN day was originated by the students, not Gold.

"Students came up with the idea because they want to use a day to unite all nations," said Gold. "As their adviser, I am there to support and help.

Sometimes I'm the only family they have here."

Students, as well as the community, came out to support their cause and even the alumni the community," Gold said. Gold's greatest praise goes out to the faculty for all of their support.

'Tm doing UN day and they say how glad they are that I'm doing it," Gold said. "The faculty has been fabulous."

Something new this year was the creation of the passport game, which allowed students to travel around different tables and experience the culture of each country.

-Jennifer Marks Gold, International club student adviser came to join in the festivities.

"Last year I was very pleased with the turnout and this year we sent 1,500 invitations out to

United Nations Day was held on Friday, Oct. 29 and featured designs from each participant. These designs focused on the colors of the culture along with the background of the different societies.

As students walked through the doors of the Dixon Center, an array of flags surrounded the lobby. •

Each flag symbolized the countries that the international students are from.

Tables with international students sitting at them were covered with their traditional folklore, artwork and artifacts, rich in their color and content.

Tanya Lawson, a sophomore from Australia, hopes the UN day inspires people to travel abroad.

·'I encourage people to travel, because it is a chance to experience other lifestyles," Lawson said.

"My students love to talk about their cultures," Gold said. "We want people to learn where Bulgaria is on the map."