Global Diversity Celebrated at Florida Tech’s International Festival
Public Welcome at Daylong Event
MELBOURNE, FLA. — From Africa to Korea, Saudi Arabia to Taiwan, the world’s cultures, foods and traditions were e celebrated at Florida Institute of Technology’s 12th Annual International Festival Feb. 17 on the university’s outdoor Panther Plaza.
The festival drew members of the public and the Florida Tech community.
Through performances, food and hands-on experiences, attendees experienced the rich cultural variety that enlivens both the university – home to students from more than 100 countries – and the broader Space Coast community.
There were a variety of performances, with Florida Tech’s all-faculty rock band TWITCHY kicking things off. Other groups scheduled to perform include the FIT Street Dance Club, Shik Shak Belly Dance Club, Voice of Indonesia, L’Ahavat Tzion, Melbourne Capoeira, St. Joseph Catholic School Spanish Club, Space Coast Hula, Calvary Chapel’s Asian Ministry, Space Coast Okinawa, Na Lima Olu Ma Ke Kai, Panama Suenos, and Florida Tech student associations from Africa, the Caribbean, China, India, Latin America and Saudi Arabia.
Many of those associations, as well as other Florida Tech and community groups, offered cultural displays. Participating groups included the Brazilian, Iraqi, Korean, Libyan, Omani, Sri Lankan and Taiwanese student associations, the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts, the International Student Service Organization and WFIT 89.5 FM, as well as the Ancient Hibernians and Space Coast Vikings/Sons of Norway.
Food vendors at the festival were ARC’s Ice Cream Truck, Hazel’s Caribbean Restaurant, J’Arabian Knights, La Estancia De Luisa Colombian restaurant, Mexico’s Grill, Old School Pizza and Taal Indian Restaurant.
The festival also featured several children’s activities, including bounce houses and face painting, and the popular Passport to the World program. This free activity encourages children of all ages to visit different cultural displays to learn something unique about the many countries and cultures represented at the festival.
Sponsors of the 12th Annual International Festival were the Florida Tech Office of International Student and Scholar Services, WFIT 89.5 FM, the Florida Tech Office of Business and Retail Operations and the Florida Tech Alumni Association.
For more information, visit the International Festival website here.
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