By Tiara Clyde
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Camden County College hosted its annual World Culture Day to celebrate the nationalities and cultures of students on April 11.
Students showcased their favorite parts of their culture and engaged with their schoolmates.
The event took place in the Atrium, where hundreds of flags from around the world hung around the perimeter. The purpose of the event was to give students a chance to embrace their culture and acquire information about the cultures of other students.
First-year student Brenna Hamilton said she “never had a culture day like this” at the schools she previously attended.
Students packed the Atrium and lined up to try the assortment of foods that were offered. There was food for a multitude of cultures and students were invited to try them. The menu consisted of Mediterranean cuisine, including falafel, roasted red pepper hummus with crudite and pita chips and garlic hummus with crudite and pita chips, and Asian food, such as vegetable spring rolls and crab sushi rolls.
Some favorites that were first to run out were the cheese turnovers and pierogies with sautéed onions.
First-year student Krishon Davis stated, “I liked the food at the event. It was nice because I was hungry after my class.”
Guinness beef stew and pigs in a blanket were also offered at the buffet.
Also at the event, posters highlighted countries such as Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Honduras and Ghana. The posters showed pictures of landmarks, traditional wear, currency and cultural delicacies.
Students walked around and looked at the posters to learn more about what the culture of each country contained.
Davis stated, “My experience at the event was very inviting and good spirited. It was nice to see people come together and celebrate their cultures.”
Although he said he enjoyed the event, he did offer a piece of advice about the posters: “Next year there could be an improvement in the interactiveness. I would like to see props to dive deeper in traditions or practices of different people and cultures.”
To end the event, students had the opportunity to perform a traditional dance or sing a song related to their culture. Old and new songs from different cultures were played throughout the event and students sang along.
The college plans to host the event again next year.