Showcasing diversity at CSUB

University holding several events as part of International Education Week

By California State University, Bakersfield

November 12^th, 2021

California State University, Bakersfield is celebrating its diverse campus with a slew of activities next week.

The university is holding several events as part of International Education Week, which runs Nov. 15-19. The goal of the nationwide program is to recognize international students, faculty and staff as well as give participants a chance to learn about and celebrate various cultures.

“It’s an opportunity to learn, celebrate and really come together and showcase the diversity of our campus community,” said Campus Programming Director Emily Callahan. “It’s a great way to provide some education but also some really fun programs.”

Festivities begin on Monday with a kick-off event at the Student Union patio that will feature a tea party, during which attendees can sample teas from different countries.

One of the biggest events of the week is the International Food and Culture Show on Thursday, which will include live performances, food from local restaurants as well as a fashion show with clothing from around the world.

“The Food and Culture Show isn’t just fun — it’s a really wonderful representation of our campus community,” Callahan said. “It’s a moment in time where we really can see, feel and taste cultures.”

This is the first year local restaurants are providing all of the food for the Food and Culture Show. In previous years, students were able to cook their own dishes on campus, but that has been canceled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

At the Runner Café, attendees will be able to sample food from restaurants including Viceroy Indian Cuisine & Bar, Sultans Mediterranean Grill, Blue Elephant Thai Cuisine and Su Casita Bakersfield.

“We have a real diverse range of food options that students will be able to try,” Callahan said. “Maybe this is the first time they’ve ever tried food like this, so it exposes them to other cultures.”

Here are all the events that are part of International Education Week at CSUB:

Nov. 15: Spill the Tea: IEW Kick-Off, 10:30 a.m. at the Student Union patio.

Nov. 16: Instagram Takeover Tuesday. Follow the Campus Programming Instagram page while a few international CSUB students take it over and share their culture; Presentation on the Island of Guadeloupe, French Pacific Overseas, 11 a.m. at the Student Union Multipurpose Room. International student Samuel Nubery will discuss the culture of his home island of Guadeloupe.

Nov. 18: Brown Bag Discussion: Cross-Cultural Communication featuring visiting Poland professor and Fulbright Scholar Dr. Agnieszka Kaczmarek, 12 p.m. via Zoom; Food and Culture Show, 7 p.m. at the Runner Café and Student Union patio. Click here to sign up to participate in the show.

Nov. 19: Restaurant Review. Submit your five-star rating for your favorite international dish at a local restaurant using the form in the Campus Programming Instagram bio for a chance to win a gift card at the restaurant you reviewed. The form closes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 18.