International Festival 2020
On March 11, President Edward Montgomery announced the following Western Michigan University directive: effective Monday, March 16, all University events that anticipate an attendance of more than 100 people are canceled. For this reason, the 2020 International Festival will not be held as planned on Sunday, March 29. Learn more information about the University's response at wmich.edu/covid-19.
The WMU International Festival gives you the opportunity to take a trip around the world without leaving Michigan!
A popular event since 1989, the International Festival takes attendees on a trip around the world—without leaving Michigan—to enjoy some of the music, foods, fashions and traditional dances of many cultures. The annual event provides almost 5,000 students and community members the chance to experience food, culture and fashion from around the world through booth displays and performances brought to life by WMU cultural RSO’s. With over 1,800 international students on campus from more than 100 countries, International Festival is a celebration of diversity at WMU, and an opportunity for participating students to celebrate their cultural heritage.
A popular event since 1989, International Festival gives students and community members the chance to experience food, culture and fashion from around the world through booth displays and performances brought to life by WMU's cultural student organizations.
“Society today is global and WMU fostering that sentiment for 30 years now is very impressive. This University embraces diversity every day,” said Augusto Domínguez, member of the Dominican Student Organization.
Admission to International Festival is free, and for a nominal fee, attendees may taste traditional cuisine from around the world prepared by international students with assistance from WMU Dining Services. The Western Student Association will be accepting non-perishable food items on behalf of the Invisible Need Project in exchange for food tickets.
WMU's 2020 International Festival is organized by the Haenicke Institute for Global Education's International Student Activities office and is co-sponsored by the Western Student Association, the Campus Activities Board and the Invisible Needs Project.
WMU Registered Student Organization Hosts
“International Festival is a showcase of WMU’s multicultural diversity, providing a rich opportunity for international students to share their culture with the local community, as well as to learn about other cultures,” said Daniel Nunez, an undergraduate from Spain majoring in business and chair of the festival planning committee. “We welcome campus and the community to join us for this celebration of our cultures.”
Attendees get to experience traditions from around the world including henna.
2020 Participating Registered Student Organizations:
- Alliance for Filipino American Students
- Asian Pacific American Student Association
- Bangladeshi Student Association
- Brazilian Student Association
- Bronco African Student Association (BASA)
- Chess Club
- Fulbright Student Organization
- Indian Student Organization
- Indonesian Students Association
- Japan Club
- Latino Student Alliance
- Malaysian Student Association
- Nepalese Student Association
- Omani Students Association
- Persian Student Organization
- Saudi Students Association
- Vietnamese Student Association
The event will also feature a display table about Kazakhstan.
For more information, contact the International Activities office at intl-activities@wmich.edu (269) 387-3966.