International Dinner 2014 on Sunday night was all about dancing, singing and celebrating diversity. The International Club, Spanish Club and Latino’s Uniting hosted the dinner in Frey Conference Suite.

Empty seats were few and far between when the dinner started. The festivities began with guests feasting on dishes from Mongolia, Mexico, Vietnam, Spain and other countries.

After dinner, the entertainment began.

“WSC is blessed by having international students on campus,” said Dr. Jeff Carstens, Wayne State College Dean of Student Affairs, in opening remarks.

Soon after, the audience was treated to comedy, music, dance and drama from both WSC International Club members and members from Northeast Community College’s International club.

Kelley Jorgensen made the room laugh by talking about her experiences hosting foreign exchange students, like the time her father tried to trick their new exchange student into thinking the Jorgensens were Amish by showing up to the airport in a horse and buggy.

The Northeast Club’s involvement in the dinner echoed the motto of the evening: “Our world unified by a borderless culture.”

“Even though it’s a different city, I felt we connected,” said Bipul Pokhrel, WSC’s club president.

Spanish, French, Nepali and Macedonian songs got the crowd moving. Dr. Catherine Rudin and Dr. Tracie Amend’s rendition of a Macedonian song was particularly beautiful as was Jose Plascencia and Kelley Robinson’s Spanish version of Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillet’s “Lucky.”

Amy Stump and Taylor Menke performed a scene from an Argentine drama they had translated into English.
Dance was the highlight of the night.

Rudin led her Folk Dance class around the room and onto stage for two traditional Romanian dances.

Ulrish Aka wowed the crowd with his African dancing.

At the end of the event, club members encouraged the audience to join them in dancing together to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. The final dance really brought home the idea of recognizing and celebrating diversity as much as having Northeast Community College’s International Club participate in the event.

“I was glad to see Northeast come,” said Ron Vick, WSC club advisor. “We’re trying to forge a relationship with them.”