USC’s International Student Services sponsored an international student bazaar that took over Greene Street on Monday. The event is part of International Education Week, which highlights students and faculty from around the world. The display of the campus’ various cultures included authentic food and traditional dances from across the globe.
Tonya Creamer works as the career accelerator program adviser for the International Accelerator Program, whose services help international students to prepare for a career in the United States or abroad.
“We help them join student organizations, help them get part-time jobs, help them make sure they really are comfortable with their major,” Creamer said. “We also look at companies that are hiring in those majors both here in the U.S. and in other countries.”
Third-year epidemiology Ph.D. candidate Dana Al-Hasan from the Students for Justice in Palestine used the bazaar as an opportunity to discuss the importance of peaceful conversations in the conflict between Israel and Palestine and gain awareness for the future.
“This is a great opportunity to talk about Palestinian culture," Al-Hasan said. "A lot of times, these things really need to begin with just education because a lot of people are unaware of what's going on."
First-year journalism student Nicole Dennis also highlighted the educational role of the bazaar.
“It’s just educating people and letting them know that we do have these cultures on campus,” she said. “It’s shining a spotlight on the different cultures that we have.”
International Student Services will continue International Education Week throughout the week with events such as a foreign film festival, an interactive session on the business of the 2016 Rio Olympics and more.