Showcasing Our Diversity: 30th Annual International Fair

"Culture Shock"—the theme of Knox College's 30th International Fair—set the tone for participants by offering everything from chicken feet to belly dancing to fashion from around the globe. Students from all over the world came together to showcase their cultures and talents at the Fair -- an annual celebration of Knox's diversity. Prior to the main event, a week of programs including lectures, food, and games was offered to get people thinking and talking.

Students shared their stories with one another through discussions and in the I-Mag—a collection of stories, poems and photographs submitted and edited by students. The magazine was distributed at I-Fair—a day of international food (prepared by students), a carnival of booths (organized by various clubs and organizations on campus to teach participants about their country, culture, or religion), and the main event: a parade of flags and an array of student performances.

Faculty presentations in the preceding week offered interesting departure points for reflecting on what culture shock might mean. Professor Michael Schneider provided a historical view, discussing the travels of Marco Polo, Captain James Cook, and Hamada Hikozo; he showed that culture shock is a modern concept.

Professor Julio Noriega's talk, "Cultural In-Betweeness of Being," took a more personal approach. Through storytelling, he taught students about his rural highland Peruvian culture, impressing upon students the folklore and traditions of his history and his experience moving away—first to Lima for undergraduate study and eventually throughout the U.S. for graduate study and a professional career. He concluded by sharing what it means to long for home when one has more than one home.

International Week ended with a flurry of activity, including the Knox College Amazing Race, where teams of students competed against each other in food challenges and puzzle solving, leading up to the big event.

Knox College is one of the most diverse and international colleges in the United States; currently ranked #21 among liberal arts colleges in the nation for number of international students by U.S. News & World Report. When International Fair began in 1982 there were 12 countries represented at the Fair. There are currently students from 46 countries represented in the student body. Knox College continues to develop and nurture its commitment to internationalism and cultural diversity.