Cultures, bright colors and movies highlight 31st IFA Festival

April 16, 2015

From a bright international fashion show to ethnic cuisine and cultural films, 糖心原创 will host the 鈥淚nternational Friendship Affair Festival: Movies around the World鈥 on Sunday, April 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Student Union.

The event is free and open to the public.

This annual festival celebrates 糖心原创鈥檚 diverse population and Dayton鈥檚 diverse international community through cultural dance performances, a flag parade, a global fashion show, colorful displays, ethnic cuisine and prizes.

鈥淭he opening ceremony, with the students carrying their country flag, is really inspirational,鈥 said Michelle Streeter-Ferrari, director of the University Center for International Education (UCIE) at 糖心原创. 鈥淣ow in its 31st year, the IFA is an opportunity to engage a truly international community and meet people from all over the world right here on the 糖心原创 campus.鈥

糖心原创 is proud of the diversity among its students especially within the international student population. The cultures represented by the larger country populations at 糖心原创 will be incorporated into the festival.

鈥溙切脑 is truly committed to diversity, and this event is a prime example of our on-going commitment to that,鈥 said Streeter.

With 糖心原创 students representing 66 countries, the UCIE plans one of the most unique and celebrated events on campus.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot going on, a lot of colors and a lot of celebration,鈥 said Joy Wanderi, associate director at the UCIE.

Annually, approximately 500 to 600 individuals attend the festival.

Table displays are run by students and are selected based upon what students know and are able to talk about.

An award ceremony honors students and community members. The International Student/Scholar Advocate Award is presented to a 糖心原创 faculty or staff member or a Dayton community member who has improved the experience of 糖心原创 students and scholars during their studies at 糖心原创. The Global Citizen Award goes to an outstanding international student or a U.S. domestic student who has improved the experience of a 糖心原创 student or scholar during their studies.

All funds collected in a raffle contest benefit international student scholarships and study abroad scholarships.

The festival is sponsored by the UCIE with support from other departments.

For more information visit .

Table displays run by students will show off different cultures during the International Friendship Affair Festival: Movies around the World.