Foreign Language Fair showcases culture and promotes diversity [GALLERY]

Winnie Bush
MC301/Staff

Jackson State University’s Department of English and Modern Foreign Language hosted its annual Mississippi Foreign Language Fair on Friday, April 7 in the Dollye M. E. Robinson Liberal Arts building.

Many JSU students, along with students from Jackson Public Schools and Central Mississippi, attend the fair and are tested on their language skills. The event promotes the study of foreign languages, cultural awareness and artistic skills and creativity.

“It is a great event for students to be able to express themselves and to learn new cultures and learn how to cook different cuisine from all over the world. Also, they participate in written events and dancing which are all very fun yet educative activities,” said Jessica Davis, a senior Spanish major from Shannon, Miss.

Some JSU students felt the event provided a great opportunity to learn of other cultures.

“It is an awesome experience to learn about different cultures and countries and it is inspiring for me to talk to people and to see similarities and differences between our cultures, languages and food. For some people, this is the closest they will get to going abroad but if they attend this event,” said Mya Lee, a senior history major from Jackson, Miss.

She added, “They (fair attendees) get to meet people from all over the world and even might experience something they would not have otherwise been able to experience.”

Keshayla Banks, a junior English major from Vicksburg, Miss., likes the exposure to diversity the fair gives to youth.

“With the current state of this country, it is good to expose young kids to the different countries and cultures so that they do not make the same mistakes some adults are currently making,” said Banks.

Arrison Martin, a senior English major from Greenwood, Miss., was one of the JSU students who attended the event.

“I enjoyed the event and I also think that it is a great event because it gets students more interested in the foreign language department as a whole. The department is very diverse with teachers from all over the world. We have an instructor from Spain and another one from Africa and just learning about this professor’s background and seeing how well they teach the different classes motivates me,” said Martin.

This year’s activities included written events, a question booth, group dancing and singing, and an awards ceremony.

All photos by Winnie Bush.