13th annual event features dancing, food
The student union's ballroom was filled with exotic sights, sounds and smells during USC's 13th annual World Night celebration.
The International Student Association (ISA) co-hosted the event with International Students Services (ISS), welcoming students from a diverse group of countries.
"We have people from all over the world," said Bader Almandeel, a second-year international business student. "We try to bring cultural awareness between them and Americans."
World Night is designed to bring international students together as a group as well as allow American students to learn more about their cultures through performances, demonstrations and food.
From dances and instrumental pieces to a fashion show and a martial arts demo, there was plenty for the audience to enjoy.
"Moksha, the Indian dance team, was my favorite part," said Kelsey Maddy, a third-year biomedical engineering student. "It was really cool to see the diversity and see how proud people are about their culture."
Participants from around campus and the community performed in the show to represent their cultures.
Pooja Patel, a third-year finance student was one of the many students who performed with Moksha.
"I love looking out and seeing the audience and hearing their encouragement," Patel said.
Ramona Angus, a first-year Russian student, participated in the Aikido Club's performance at her first World Night.
"I really wanted to represent my club," Angus said. "I also wanted to have a fun experience. The experience was phenomenal."
Some audience members found some types of dances easier to relate to than others. Amanda Williams, third-year biomedical engineering student, liked how some participants incorporated a fusion of older and newer traditions into their performances.
"I thought it was really awesome," Williams said. "I especially liked the fusion because it mixed traditional with modern and helped the audience make a connection with the performers."
Students from all over campus came to watch the show, which was open to all who wished to attend.
"I came because I wanted to see what different cultures had to offer," said Chirag Patel, a second-year criminal justice student.
While Maddy enjoyed the show, she had hoped to see more cultures represented. Cultures from the Middle East and East Asia were the most highly-represented groups at World Night.
"I thought a lot of cultures were represented," she said. "But I wish more European cultures such as England, Germany and other parts of Europe were represented."