First Friday of Service

 

BSC International and Exchange Students

 

On Friday, December 4, 2009 - students, faculty, and staff joined international and exchange students to celebrate First Friday of service: a community service project designated to foster a cultural awareness of ways students traditionally celebrate Christmas around the world.

At this year's First Friday of service event students gave in-depth presentations on their native celebratory traditions, highlighting the different ways they celebrate holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Eve in their native countries.

Students from Jordan, Russia, China and New Zealand, Poland, Japan and Alaska prepared short presentations and shared images of holiday decorations, food and clips of festive celebrations.

"I always enjoy listening to the different traditions and it makes me chuckle when the international students notice the stress on Americans at holiday time," said Diane Bell, Director of the Community Service Center. "For us, it's about shopping...sometimes I think we've all forgotten the true meaning of Christmas," added Bell.

In addition to the interesting exchange, students created holiday cards and ornaments for local families and children. Light refreshments were served.

(Story and Photo by Sasha Link, Office of External Affairs)

Last Modified: January 13, 2010