Global Safari Fest Takes Kent State on a Cultural Journey

Chukwudi Nwoko, president of the International Student Council and doctorate candidate in the applied geology program, said the Global Safari Fest was designed to celebrate and share intercultural experiences and bring together students from the 106 countries represented at the university with their peers from the United States.

“Watching attendees engage in active learning and cultural sharing with international students was truly uplifting,” he said. “[It transformed] the Kent Student Center Ballroom into a vibrant melting pot of nations.”

Nwoko said he is grateful to the event’s presenters and volunteers and the Undergraduate Student Government for the support and funding.

Leigh said the inspiration for the event’s name came from the Swahili word “safari,” meaning “journey” or “expedition,” which reflects the event’ purpose: to take the Kent State community on a one-of-a-kind cultural journey.

Unlike in previous events, the word “global” was chosen instead of “international” to ensure students from the United States knew they were welcome to participate.

“‘International’ can make American students feel like the event is not for them and we want everyone to know they can attend,” Leigh said. “Our goal is to celebrate the true global community here at Kent State, promote cross-cultural exchange and relationships and inspire students to study abroad.”

Fernanda Alves de Andrade Reis, a senior in the computer information systems program, member of the Ski and Snowboard Club and simulation lab actress for the College of Nursing, signed up to represent Brazil in the Global Safari Fest.

Reis invited two Brazilian friends and Kent State graduates to dance with her and showcase Brazilian culture.

“I felt really embraced and happy to see people singing along and dancing during the performance,” Reis said. “A few people came up to congratulate me, saying they loved the dance. It was a wholesome experience. I felt the union between so many different cultures around the world.”

While hosting Brazil’s country table, Reis said she met many people and answered interesting questions about her country.

“I was excited to talk about fun facts of Brazilian culture and explain the best aspects of my country,” she said. “It made me feel really proud of where I come from.”

As a senior soon to graduate, Reis hopes students feel encouraged to participate and represent their countries in the next Global Safari Fest, especially Brazilian students.

Reis said she wishes to inspire students to find a fun way to showcase their countries’ culture through art.

The Global Safari Fest featured 22 country tables, including Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, The Gambia, Turkmenistan and Uganda, along with an additional table hosted by Kent State’s Education Abroad.

The event also included 12 performances by students and organizations, including the Barefeet Dance Tribe; Mayara Krifa, representing Tunisia; Ayman Prio, representing Bangladesh; Fesonis Putri and Vianca Domke, representing Indonesia and the United States; a group of Brazilian students; Arslan Kalandarov and Asadbek Masharipov, representing Turkmenistan; the Kent Indian Dance Association; Aimee Flores, representing Mexico; two groups of students from Bangladesh; Sam Hughes, representing the United States; and a group of Nigerian students.