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There are tons of different foods that people eat every day, but some are unaware of what country they originated from.
On Friday Nov. 22, the International Student Association (ISA) hosted their event “Taste and Sound of Nations.” This event was split into two parts from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. students had an opportunity to taste different samples from various countries. This part of the event took place in the lower level of Grubbs Hall. Following the sample tasting there were performances from 7 p.m. to 8:30p.m. presented by ISA in the Crimson and Gold Ballroom of the Overman Student Center.
“It’s interesting that Pitt State has this kind of event,” said Leonardo Reis, senior in engineering.
During the sample tasting there were 11 different countries represented. They were Kenya, Korea, Taiwan, Russia, India, France, China, America, Paraguay, Spain and Brazil.
“I came (to this event) because I enjoy trying new things,” said Analysia Carrillo, sophomore in interior design. “It’s interesting to try new foods especially from different countries.”
Each country had different dishes to serve. Students chose dishes that are common in their home country and that also represent their culture.
“Tortillas are not a common dish that people cook for fairs,” said Ximena Bogarin, junior in biology.
Bogarin is an international student from Paraguay. In Paraguay, they have a different type of tortilla, than the traditional flat style. Paraguayan tortillas are deep fried and puffier, than a flat tortilla.
“It seems like people don’t see them as a festive dish, but I really love tortillas,” Bogarin said.
There were many students, faculty, and community members that came to the event to try foods from around the world. Grubbs lower level was filled with so many people trying different samples that the food was all given out in under 30 minutes.
“It was like I went around the world in under an hour,” Carrillo said.
PSU has many international students that choose to study abroad at PSU. At this event, students had the opportunity to express to other countries their love for their home country and also to the majority of American students a taste of what some dishes taste like from where they are from.
“It (studying at PSU) has been the best experience of my life so far,” Reis said. “I hope that everyone can get to know about the Brazilian culture.”
Students from Brazil served vegetarian stroganov, and a traditional Brazilian dessert, brigadeiro. This dessert is a ball shaped dessert made of condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, and chocolate sprinkles.
There are misconceptions and stereotypes that some countries have about others, so some students utilized this their performances and food dished as a way to educate and spread knowledge about their country’s history.
“Many people think wrong things about Brazil, when things are completely different,” Reis said.
Many students call PSU home, from all over the world, as “International Education Week” closed, ISA had the opportunity to showcase the art of their culture through various performances.
“I’m so impressed with how everything looks (in America),” Bogarin said. “It’s a whole new experience, then from Paraguay.”
