Amidst the vibrant hues of cultural diversity at Norwich University, students weave together a rich tapestry of traditions, perspectives, and flavors; all showcased in a recent international dinner, which gathered leaders of all intercultural clubs on campus.
“The event was a success; we had many people, and the food was wonderful,” said Noah Scott, the ISO president, a senior civilian construction management major from Fayetteville, NC.
“We got to talk about some things: small stuff, big stuff, and finally, a celebration of nations, said Scott.
“The purpose of the dinner was to come together and be friends.”
“We only see the intricate weave, the various colors, and mingling patterns of a tapestry when the whole cloth is made visible,” said John Puleio, the advisor for ISO and Coordinator of Multilingual Student Services.
The ISO, driven by a global perspective, aims to embrace and celebrate the diversity that defines Norwich’s cultural campus tapestry. Their immediate goal: organizing the Celebration of Nations event on Nov 12th, a collaborative effort with other cultural clubs on campus.
The dinner, a preview of the Celebration of Nations, brought together students to discuss and celebrate the beauties of Norwich’s cultural tapestry.
The ISO, already engaged in partnerships, aims for a rich and diverse Celebration of Nations event, fostering unity among cultural clubs.
“All the cultural clubs should come together to make the change on this campus because individually, we may not have that power,” said Scott. “It is important for us to come together and do something.”
Striking a balance between the challenges of navigating campus life as an international student and the enriching opportunities it presents, Norwich emerges as a hub for diverse clubs.
In the current academic year, alongside the already established student cultural clubs, Norwich has the pleasure of welcoming new additions, including but not limited to the African Student Union (ASU), the Nepali Student Union (NSU), and the International Cooking Club.
“It is said that birds of a feather flock together,” said Puleio.
“Still, there is strength in numbers, and it will be interesting to see how student clubs work together to celebrate and educate about all our distinct and equally rich cultures. Students working together despite any differences to shine a light on the vitality of our variety should be the goal.
The upcoming Celebration of Nations event is a chance to see the potential for unity and collaboration among the diverse cultural clubs.
“My membership in the Slavic Club is a source of joy, allowing me to weave the tapestry of Ukrainian culture into the campus fabric,” said Rodion Pedyuk, 21, a junior corps of cadet CSIA major from Kyiv, Ukraine.
“The potential that arises when all clubs pool their resources is undeniably substantial,” said Pedyuk.
The introduction of the new international house further eases logistical hurdles, providing a seamless space for both celebration and communal cooking.
