The 11th annual International Night event was held by the Department of Languages and Communication as a part of International Education Week, featuring an array of cultural food and performances.
International Night took place in the Student Union Ballroom on Monday, Nov. 18.
“International Night has been going on since 2003,” said French instructor Aileen Mootoo. “Overall goals were to celebrate international studies and to raise funds for scholarships to send Southeastern students on study abroad programs.”
Mootoo coordinated this year’s International Night. Mootoo said that she applied for a grant with the Student Government Association to pay for Aramark to cater the event.
“I wrote a grant to receive $1,800 from SGA to cater the buffet,” said Mootoo. “We had coucous, curry chicken, Greek salad, beef burgundy, enchiladas, pasta shells and fruit.”
The event was free for everyone. However, the Department of Languages and Communication asked for attendees to make donations to go toward study abroad scholarships. This year they raised $700 in donations.
Mootoo noted that attendance has increased over the past few years.
“[This year] 209 students attended,” said Mootoo. “We had 180 students attend last year.”
She also said that many faculty members and others, such as members of Mandeville Junior High School’s French Club, attended. The junior high school organization made their return to the International Night stage to perform their skit “La Machine de meteo.”
In addition, several students who currently study foreign language performed a variety of cultural songs and dance routines including a belly dance and a tango.
“I asked my colleagues to ask their students who were music majors at Southeastern or any foreign language or international students who had a singing or dancing talent,” said Mootoo.
In between performances, the Department of Languages and Communication along with the Spanish, French and Italian Clubs raffled off a variety of prizes. Students who donated five dollars or more were given a raffle ticket, and students also had the opportunity to purchase tickets for other prizes from the Italian Club.
“We mainly had gift certificates from restaurant for raffles,” said Mootoo. “The certificates were donated by the restaurants and faculty.”
Mootoo closed out the night by performing an African dance with student Aanuoluwapo Akintomide, who performed at Francophone Night last year. They invited those in attendance to come up and learn the dance as well.