Join the fun of USU Eastern Global Week
February 25 through March 1 marked the first of an annual tradition at Eastern. Global Week focused entirely on creating social and cultural awareness on a global level. The mission statement for global week is: “Global Week is a passionate experience, USU Eastern provides annually to foster worldwide awareness of international celebrations, customs, and heart-wrenching needs through exposing participants to events and activities that include humanitarian, culinary, academic, cultural, artistic and athletic adventures in a diverse and compelling display.”
This archived article was written by: Emily Williams
February 25 through March 1 marked the first of an annual tradition at Eastern. Global Week focused entirely on creating social and cultural awareness on a global level. The mission statement for global week is: “Global Week is a passionate experience, USU Eastern provides annually to foster worldwide awareness of international celebrations, customs, and heart-wrenching needs through exposing participants to events and activities that include humanitarian, culinary, academic, cultural, artistic and athletic adventures in a diverse and compelling display.”
Each day of Global Week focuses on a different continent: Asia, Africa, The America’s (North, Central and South), Europe and Oceania. Each continent has several countries and cultures that are unique to that area. The Global Week schedule includes a social awareness segment, documentaries that familiarize students with past and present social issues, authentic food prepared by dining services, sporting events and other activities that reflect cultural diversity.
Many international students have assisted in planning and executing the events. The student body has enjoyed experiencing new foods, games and music that they normally would not encounter.
Although Global Week has been fun, there is a deeper purpose behind the event. The faux Berlin Wall in the student center represents how important global awareness and social tolerance is. History has shown the horrors of racism, intolerance and egocentric world views. Each generation has a responsibility to learn from the mistakes of history and create a more peaceful and tolerant world. Global Week helps students at Eastern to understand and appreciate different cultures, and inspire them to be part of creating a better world.
Global Week is ending with a huge event Friday, March 1. On the Oceania Day, there will be a luau. Dining services will be serving a smoked pig, along with other delicious foods from island countries. Residential Life will be presenting the Spirit of Aloha Award during dinner. After eating, everyone will have a chance to walk on hot coals outside the cafeteria patio. Students will then learn dances from other countries at the Sessions Hall.
The culminating event to end the week is a global dance in the JLSC multipurpose room. This dance will feature music from countries all over the world and celebrate the cultures students have learned about throughout the week.
