Multicultural Day to teach students about customs

There is an orange sign posted just outside the international offices that reads, “Culture Shock, It’s a good thing.” This is exactly the kind of interlude that the Office of International Education is trying to create with elementary age children in the Emporia State Community.

“It’s a very exiting event,” said James Harter, assistant vice president for international education. “We have done it in the past and it has been successful. It’s fun to watch the younger kids with International students with real experience with these cultures and watch them converse. It’s a learning experience that most of these children won’t attain from their standard classrooms.”

The office international education will be hosting six local elementary schools in an effort to help students learn about different aspects of cultures and countries from around the world. The countries that will be included in the event are China, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia/Thailand, Lebanon, Ghana/Kenya and India. Europe and Latin America will also be included in the displays.

“I’m going to attend,” said Yuton Liu, junior psychology major. “I’ll probably just show up and help out. I think I could explain traditional things, like maybe how to use chop sticks or I could teach kids about China and the Olympics.”

The displays will include many different subjects. One will compare and contrast the coins of different countries and currencies of the world. Others will display the alphabet of different languages in the world and present stamps of the world.

The first display session for elementary school children will take place from 8:45-11:45 a.m. on Wednesday in Webb Lecture Hall. That afternoon the displays remain open to the ESU and Emporia Community. The displays will also be available for viewing from 8:45 a.m.-3:00p.m Thursday.

“I think it’s a great experience for not only those children but also for us as international students,” said Ying Zhang, graduate student and accounting major. “We really haven’t had the opportunity to be around a good deal of American children. I think if I could have attended an event like this when I was young it would have been beneficial.”

Other displays will include toys and games from other countries as well as animals, flags, teas/teapots, dolls, masks, music and several photos. There will also be a PowerPoint with different types of music from all over the world and a special display for 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Although Intensive English students are required to participate in the event, all students are encouraged to join in the festivities.