The International Students Association hosted the annual international student talent contest and fashion show Saturday in the Arts and Sciences auditorium. 

“We had been working on this event for weeks,” ISA president Vanessa Baguet said. 

 “But the busiest time was this week with all the rehearsals which started Tuesday and ended Saturday before the show.”

International students from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, France, Australia, China, Japan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Nigeria, Vietnam, Iraq, Serbia, Brazil and Sri Lanka showcased their cultures and traditions through songs, dance performances, magic and fashion shows. 

“Our event coordinator was Vagaban Subedi, but we all worked together to make this event a success and were each attributed different duties for the night. We also had many volunteers helping us and I want to thank them all for that,” Baguet said.

The talent show gave international students the opportunity to share in cultural traditions, as well as personal talents.

“I was modeling and walking in the fashion show with sari and a dressy dress,” Tu Vu, a finance major from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam said. 

“I think it’s really fun because I always like to be on the runway. I was nervous and couldn’t breathe backstage, but once I stepped out, I felt cool and fabulous. Plus, I learned new things from performers who contributed their efforts to the show.”

After the performances the audience voted on the winners. Cash prizes were awarded to first place winners, “Exist this way,” a band with two Sri Lankans and six Americans, second place winner was Jessica Pacheco, a pianist from Brazil and third place winners were Uyghur dancers, Nuermaimaiti Tuersungjiang and his wife Nuriman from China. 

Email the author: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it