The international presence in Athens was discussed Monday night as Ohio University’s International Week opened with “Come Discover the World in Athens.”
About 50 people gathered in the Baker University Center Theatre to hear the panelists, two international and two domestic students, who examined differences between the community in Athens and their hometowns.
One panelist, Amanda Tragert, said she wanted to speak at the event because she felt living in Athens for several years has given her a different perspective on the international population.
“A lot of my international experience started as a high schooler,” said Tragert, who attended Athens High School.
Tragert, a senior who is studying global studies and German, said she thinks American students should get more involved with international students.
Her advice is to “Take a step out of your comfort zone and talk to someone new.”
Although events like last night may not be as well attended as the organizers would have hoped, Tragert said, “The people who do come … It’ll be their first contact with international students. They learn that there is international diversity here.”
One of the speakers at the event, Lorna Jean Edmonds, vice provost for Global Affairs, said people who do go to events like the one held last night are part of an “enlightened” group.
“Our job is to engage that broader group,” Edmonds said.
Throughout the event, there were also several video clips played that showed domestic and international students interviewing each other talking about their experiences.
The domestic student in each clip had all traveled to the country of the international student they were interviewing; they discussed the highlights of each place as well as differences in each country.
Two Athens High School students played the piano and sang a traditional German poem set to music to highlight different cultures. There was also a fashion show.
Several students dressed in international garb walked the stage, showing off what people in their home countries would wear — Nigeria, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia were some nations represented.
The event was just the beginning of the very busy International Week that continues Tuesday with the Global Scoop in the Bobcat Student Lounge at 2 p.m.
@w_gibbs
wg868213@ohiou.edu
