By Eva Thach
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – On International Day, Camden County College students will be embracing their diversity by wearing cultural attire from Africa, Nigeria, Cuba and other native countries.
Kathryn L’ Esperance, club adviser for the International Club, is making preparations for International Day. By Eva Thach, CCC Journalism Program
International Day will be held on April 18, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Connector Building Atrium at the Blackwood campus of Camden County College. “This event will be sponsored by the International Club,” stated Kathryn L’ Esperance, International Club adviser.
International Day was created in 2010, making this the fourth time it will occur at Camden County College. This is a free event; students, faculty and the public are welcome to attend.
“Colleagues from different countries will display artifacts such as clothing and food,” L’ Esperance added. “There will be a quick fashion show in the beginning and students will be wearing their native garment from their ethnic background. Teachers may also choose to participate to get dressed up.”
A maximum of eight students will be participating in the fashion show and each of them will have a short biography describing their attire.
International Day is about the students and it will allow other students to become aware of diverse issues and to embrace them, L’ Esperance said. Last year, it took American students a while to warm up to the idea that international students are not different from them.
“The anthem for International Day will also play in the beginning,” said Soufiane Ellamte, president of the International Club. “The first year 12 countries were represented and last year there were 42 countries represented in International Day.”
“After the fashion show, there will be a Korean fan dance and there will be singers performing starting with different nations,” added Ellamte. “There will be a magic show and there will be an Islamic Christian organization display.”
Students will be informed about other cultures and their clothing.
Representatives from Rutgers University and the Human Relations Council will attend the event.
Preparations will start the day before the event and on April 18 the preparations will start at 7 a.m. Students from the International Club will help set up the flags.
“The Campus Press, Facebook page and word of mouth are the ways we are going to broadcast International Day,” stated Ellamte. “There will also be flyers posted on the bulletin board.”
Food and music will be provided to the public and students will have the chance to learn facts about foreign countries.
Students who want to find out more about International Day should visit the college website at http://www.camdencc.edu/ or call 856-227-7200, ext. 4543.
