The 2023 Multicultural Showcase took place on Friday, November 3, in the Iowa Memorial Union’s International Ballroom, as part of the University of Iowa’s (UI) annual celebration of International Education Week (IEW). Around 300 UI students, faculty, staff, and community members attended.
“This year’s showcase was very well attended, and the energy and excitement were palpable,” said Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs. “Given the large and enthusiastic turnout, there is clearly a campus-wide audience for celebrating the many cuisines and talents of Iowa’s rich and robust student body.”
The Multicultural Showcase is designed to introduce UI students, faculty, staff, and the greater Iowa City community to different cultures through vocal and dance performances, ethnic dishes, as well as interactive tabling hosted by student organizations and UI colleges and departments.
Examples of tabling activities included CIMBA Italy’s pasta matching game, where participants had to correctly identify pasta types by their Italian name, and a Plinko board hosted by the UI Center for Advancement (UICA).
“It was fun playing Plinko with students at the packed showcase,” said Tony Hakes, director of regional programs, alumni engagement, at the UICA. “Everyone there was excited to see the performances and it was great to teach them more about alumni engagement.”
Iowa celebrates International Education Week each year, serving as an example of our commitment to preparing Americans for a global environment and to attract future leaders from abroad to come to the U.S. This year, IEW takes place November 13-17.
Multiple events are planned during and leading up to the week, many of which are organized by UI students, faculty, and staff from across campus. Visit the International Education Week site to see all the events.
The Multicultural Showcase was organized by OASIS (Organization for the Active Support of International Students) in partnership with International Programs; International Student Support and Engagement; the Center for Language and Culture Learning; the Center for Advancement; the Native American Student Association; the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Student Ambassadors Program; Study Abroad; CIMBA; and Tippie Global Learning Opportunities.
Photo credits: Justin Torner, University of Iowa
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.
