International Bazaar

I love to learn about different cultures. This passion of mine has brought me to Seattle for EarthCorps, volunteering in Mexico, Peace Corps in Panama, and several countries in between. I currently live in rural Illinois to attend graduate school and I am constantly surprised by how good a fit my university is for me.

This weekend, WIU held it's 37th annual International Bazaar. Hmmm...what should that look like in a town with a population of 18,500 and dominantly white-bread demographics? Surprisingly, it was BEAUTIFUL!

The university has a huge international program. Last night I learned that WIU demographics represent one-third of all of the countries IN THE WORLD! Isn't that amazing? I had personally noticed that I always had a lot of international students in my classes, but I thought that was due to my major of Political Science. They are actually involved in most majors here.

My colleagues and I represented the Peace Corps Fellows program here on campus. Our booth was decorated with two walls of handprints, a world map, Peace Corps slogans, and trinkets from various countries that we served in. Bangladesh, Armenia, Ghana, Niger, Cameroon, South Africa, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Our participation is highlighted in the three goals of Peace Corps, this being the third goal, "Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans."

So many countries were represented in the International Bazaar! Beyond our booth there were also booths for Taiwan, Sudan, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Nepal, India, Japan, China, Korea, Philippines, Africa (the continent), the United States, Guatemala, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic. There was entertainment both nights with music and dance from many countries. Indian dance dominated, and we all loved it! Last night each booth had two representative foods from their country. It was the only time all year you can eat good international food in our small town.

I loved looking around the room at everyone in their traditional dress. Everyone looked so beautiful! It was nice to share my Peace Corps experience with strangers, perhaps interested in applying. I got to see two of the actresses from The Vagina Monologues dance on stage. One danced salsa and the other bellydanced. I got to meet friends' children. One new friend from Panama dressed her daughter in a pollera the second night of the Bazaar.

The International Bazaar was a feast for the senses and I felt so blessed to be a part of it. Thanks to all the other Peace Corps Fellows who worked so hard to make it all come together!