Dressed in traditional Nigerian clothes, International Student Union President Bella Anne Ndubuisi greeted guests at Saturday's International Dinner, in her native language of Ibo, then in English, Chinese, French and Spanish.
More than 500 Ohio University students and staff and Athens residents filled the Baker University Ballroom for the annual dinner to taste 35 dishes from more than 14 different countries.
The dinner began with speeches by President Roderick McDavis and Associate Provost for International Affairs Josep Rota. Both spoke about the increasing numbers of international students at OU.
The size of the international student population continues to grow
Rota said. In 2005 there were 930 students; this fall there are 1 450.
Last year, ISU sold all its 350 tickets, so this year the event was expanded to feed 500 people, said Ryan Bobst, the graduate assistant for the ISU. All the $5 tickets were sold and the organization spent about $7,000 to $10,000 on the dinner.
According to OU's catering policy, the menu for the dinner had to be pre approved and all the food prepared in a university kitchen space. All dishes for the dinner were made Saturday at Jefferson Dining Hall.
More than 60 students volunteered to help cook, under the guidance of OU's Executive Chef Matt Rapposelli.
Rapposelli began preparing for the dinner a month ago, collecting recipes from the 18 participating student organizations and converting them so that they fed 200 to 300 people, he said. - Simmons said. The dumplings (here) look just like they did in China.
Although several guest complained about the time they spent waiting in line for the buffet, many said that the event was a good way to bring people together.
In different cultures
it's not just the way they dress and speak
it's in the food (that makes them unique)
Ndubuisi said. Food is an important part of the community.
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