Spring Break
Week promotes global awareness
imberly Berba
Intern
Issue date: 4/4/06 Section: NEWS
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The benefits to becoming culturally aware were advocated in a speech during the opening ceremony of International Week 2006 Monday morning at Shrader Pavilion.
"International week is us becoming 'globally competent,'" said Rebecca Smith-Murdock, director of international programs.
The speakers also included Denton Mayor Euline Brock and NT Provost Howard Johnson.
Smith-Murdock said students should study abroad. NT offers scholarships for up to $1,500 to study abroad and various study programs in more than 37 countries she said.
"Almost any subject in this campus is connected to the rest of the world," Smith-Murdoch said. "Our goal is for NT to have a very international culture."
The ceremony was introduced with the beat of a drum by the NT African Ensemble, led by Gideon Alorwoyie of the music faculty, who has participated in international week since 1996.
Starting at Kendall Hall, the ensemble led the Native Dress and Flag Processional to the opening ceremony. The hall is where offices such as the International Welcome Center and Intensive English Language Institute are located.
A diverse group of people from the NT community, some in their country's native dress, carried flags from about 80 different countries. International Welcome Center intern Sheena Connell said this year's turnout of at least 100 people was probably the best thus far.
"We're getting domestic and international students involved," said Connell, commenting on the amount of students from the Intensive English Language Institute.
This week is a way for international students and local students to experience other cultures and become involved. Domenica Fossati, Miami, Fla., senior, played drums with the NT African Ensemble this year.
"My freshman year I saw [the ensemble] perform in a class," Fossati said. "Ever since then I've been a part of it every semester."
Unique to this year's opening ceremony was music by local Denton band Liquid Bounce, which played after the introductory speakers. The band plays a mixture of hip-hop and soul with smooth vocals, and at times a bit of freestyle rap. Forth Worth senior Ruben Salazar, bass player for Liquid Bounce, pointed out the ethnic diversity of his band.
"I think we fit in pretty well with this whole thing," Salazar said, "and I look forward to the rest of the week."
See the calendar on page 3 for more events during International Week 2006.
