U.Va. Students To Hold First 'International Night' Friday in Amphitheater

March 28, 2012 — First- and second-year students at the University of Virginia are invited to attend the first-ever "International Night" Friday to celebrate the many cultures that make up the student body.

The First- and Second-Year councils are sponsoring the event at the McIntire Amphitheater from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be dance performances, a fashion show and free food. Numerous multicultural student groups will also share information about membership and upcoming events.

First-Year Council President William Laverack said he and Second-Year Student Council President Ann Laurence Baumer realized their groups had not previously held an event to celebrate the different cultures of their classmates.

"I think we have a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of the multitude of different cultures around Grounds," Laverack said. "First- and second-years will be able to interact with and learn about different cultures and lifestyles and hopefully appreciate even more the diversity that makes U.Va. so great."

To help get the word out, he and Baumer enlisted the help of Global Student Council President Heidi Wilder. "This is a prime time for national and international students to learn more about each other and what U.Va. has to offer," she said.

Non-U.S. citizens make up nearly 10 percent of the on-Grounds student population, which numbers more than 14,000 for this semester. China, the Republic of Korea and India are the top three nations sending students to U.Va.

The Global Student Council will continue the celebration of cultures April 18, from noon to 2 p.m., with an international desserts festival in the McIntire Amphitheater. All students are welcome.

— by Jane Kelly