The Cultural Element of Indiana University

As one might guess, Indiana University is home to an unfathomable array of cultures and the traditions that make each of them unique. When a student applies for admission to Indiana University, he or she is not typically cognizant of the profound cultural, traditional and ethical environment they are preparing to enter. For many students, including myself, these incredible assimilations are discovered nearly simultaneously as one discovers campus for the first time.

Without ever being around such diverse groups of people and traditions during their high school years, most students would simply choose to avoid the awkward moment of asking “what is it that you are doing,” or “what are you wearing.” Although, just as these questions loom in the minds of nearly every student throughout their college career, especially at a culturally diverse campus like IU, these very suspicions are the gateway to a more fulfilling college experience. How is a student that has just left the comfortable confines of home supposed to venture out and discover all that IU has to offer without feeling intrusive? This very concern is vanquished by Indiana University’s Welcome Week Program for new students and freshmen on campus.

Just as many other large campus’ do for their students, IUB provides freshmen and new students with a week of events, specifically tailored to provide insight into the vast array of cultures, traditions, organizations, facilities and also a general orientation of the campus itself. By providing new students with a program that immerses them deep within unfamiliar cultures, traditions and ethnicities of both domestic and foreign origin, students can feel more inclined to participate in activities that would normally be well outside their comfort zone. “Culture Fest” is the gateway by which students are first immersed into the profound presence of cultural and ethnic variance on IUB’s campus.

With an indoor portion kicking off the event, students gather in the IU auditorium’s three tiers of seating (yes, that many students attend “Culture Fest,”) and then are greeted by the members of various cultural groups and organizations on campus. Following introductions and a brief overview of the planned events for the day, students are treated to an exciting demonstration of a cultural tradition, distinctive to one of the groups that await them outside around Showalter Fountain.

As students are ushered outside to enjoy the afternoon sunshine, they are given a handful of event tickets to be exchanged for culturally and ethnically diverse foods, both of domestic and foreign origin. Many of these cuisines included Latino, Hispanic, African American and Indian creations. And with the entire area teaming with games, prizes, booths, food, drinks, crafts and live entertainment, one’s senses are working overtime to take in all of the incredible diversity surrounding them.

As with all events at Indiana University, “Culture Fest” is a testament to the promotion and acceptance of cultural and ethnical diversity within the student body, and throughout campus.