The 2008 Manchester College International Fair, a biannual campus event, is scheduled to take to place on Sunday, April 13, with an array of various activities and dishes to partake in.

  
The college and community will join in celebrating the diversity of all the cultures, traditions and experiences represented at MC. With the use of authentic cuisine, traditional music and unique exhibits, fair participants are treated to an educational, enjoyable afternoon.

  
Manchester students will prepare much of the food and renowned groups that collectively represent a worldwide flavor will perform the music. The fair will play host to four continents and several countries including Ethiopia, India, Palestine and Mexico.

  
And more often than not, it’s the food that continues to impress and lure students and community members back to the fair.

  
Even international students who are not straightforwardly involved will come out to support their fellow students in any way possible.

  
Junior Farida Adam plans to assist with the cooking at several booths and calls the fair one her “favorite times of the year.”

  
“Many students take time out of their busy schedules to cook and give Manchester a taste of their home,” she said. “[And] from my experience it’s always been scrumptious.”

The fair, in and of itself, is quite the unique experience to the first-time attendees, offering up many traditional dances, items of clothing and a one-of-a-kind learning experience.

   
“Everyone gets to learn about so many different cultures,” Adam said. “It’s a chance for Manchester College’s international students to give [the college] and community a taste of somewhere across the oceans they may have never even thought about.”

For Adam, it’s a family affair. Her younger sister Malika will be contributing to the booth representing Cambodia, their home country, with pictures and examples of traditional garments and other items.

  
“It’s important but also interesting to inform the community on the different traditions and styles of different cultures we currently have on campus,” Malika said.

The cooking is a central part of the fair for her as well and she, like her sister, will be helping wherever needed.

Still, Malika finds the fair an essential part of being an international student at Manchester College.

“As internationals, [we] don’t get to express ourselves to the community much so this is a perfect opportunity to do so,” Malika said. “Everyone is having fun and bonding and there’s nothing better than that.”

Slated to perform as musical guests during the fair are BOOM, BellyBelly, Japanese Minyo Dancers, Drums of West Africa and a drumming group led by MC senior Utsav Hanspal.

The fair looks to draw in close to 1,000 people from many different places, including several media outlets. The fair is free to enter and welcomes everyone in the North Manchester Community to attend and take part in the all of the activities and festivities provided.

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