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by Jill C. Hindman

Imagine spending a year of your life continent hopping, traveling the world, gaining a wealth of knowledge, experience and self-discovery. "Up With People" is an organization that welcomes students from all around the globe to do just this.

Maurius Bachcfner, 20, is from Switzerland. "This year is for me. I just staff writer wanted to leave everything behind and have a new life," Bachcfner said.

This non-profit organization consists of roughly 140 students ranging from the ages of 17 to 25 and about 20 staff members, all of whom come from 23 different countries. Together they embark on a life-altering expedition.

At each location that "Up With People" visits, they perform a show. At the end of their yearlong experience, as a group they will have performed over 100 shows. The performers need no specialized talent. Everyone sings and dances. Everyone participates. The conflict between different cultural backgrounds are acted out through dialogue, song and dancing. The show changes every two or three years. This year's performance is entitled "A Common Beat." ,

"A Common Beat" stands for the beat of a drum, namely music and the beat of the heart, signifying humanity. Through music, a universal language, people come together.

"It is so amazing and exciting. When I watched it I cried four times. It had people out of their chairs and dancing,"

The Red Cloud Coffee

Meghan Riley said. Riley, 18, is a part of the organization. She delayed her first year of college to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

The cast consists of four groups. The groups represent Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Whichever group each student is performing with they need to research and learn the cultural background of that group. "All of the girls are supposed to wear their hair down. If you are in the Asia group and want to wear your hair up, you need to study the hairstyles of the Asian culture. You can't just pull up your hair and stick in some chop sticks;' Riley explained. It is all about stimulating your knowledge on cultural differences and backgrounds.

As they venture around the world the students perform various acts of community service. They do anything from painting the fingernails of an elderly woman to painting a mural over a graffiti-defaced wall. While visiting Cabrini, "Up With People" is doing community service at The Don Guanella School.

The students stay with different host families wherever they go. By staying with these families the students share meals, hear family stories and get a better grasp on what the particular culture is all about. They are in great need of host families while they are here at Cabrini.

In some aspects this program reflects a college year. There is a three-week Christmas Break and a five-day Spring Break. Some students can receive anywhere from 16-30 college credits for their participation in the organization. "Up With People" has an educational partnership set up with three colleges: Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., Queens College in Charlotte, N.C. and Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"Common Beat" will be performed at Cabrini on Friday,

Oct. 13, at 7 p.m., in the Dixon Center. Cabrini students, parents, faculty and staff will be admitted free if they bring their college ID. Anyone interested in participating in this organization can stay after the show for an interview. Call 610-902-8507, 8496, or 8497 with any questions about "Up With People." You can also visit their website at www.upwithpeople.org.

Culture Fest 2000

Friday-Oct. 13--Up With People 7 p.m. Dixon Center

Wednesday - Oct. 18 - Noon - 9 p.m.

Noon -12:30- Study Abroad - Live Love and Learn about studying in Italy with Professor Massimo Musumeci

12:3 •1:00 - Study Abroad - Hola Spain! Presentedby Juan Carlos Jimenez

3:10-4:30 • Meet and listen to our visitingscholar, Hong Zhao from China who will be giving a lecture on Chinese his• tory and culture.

1:00-3:10 - Ethnic Student Alliance, Latino aand Friends will be hi;>stingfun events.

5:00-5:30 • Cookin~g iub provides samples of Asian cuiine - YUM!

5:30-6:00- Intema nal Prayer Service - Prayers of peace and anks in many languages

6:00-7 :00- Fine Arts Department presents spectacular wood painted vegetables and Wood Food Service creates a \ giant salad for all to enjoy.

9:00- International Bingo.

Thursday OcL 19 at 7p.m. • Ruthie, born in the Philippines and from MTV Real World talks about alcobomm and her culture.

All events will be held in the Atrium unless othenvise noted.