The 47th annual Scott D. Morris International Food and Cultural Festival was held on Sunday, Nov. 10 in the Health and Sports Center. This tradition was hosted by the International Student Association and showcased many diverse cultures and cuisines.
ISA president Aayusha Neupane, a junior from Nepal majoring in information technology, led this year’s event.
“I think this event brings everyone together,” Neupane said. “It’s nice to see people from different countries working together.”
The festival offers attendees more than just a sampling of international dishes; it’s an immersion into cultural traditions, dress and music. There were seven different countries’ cuisines represented, as well as five different countries’ cultural dances. The countries’ featured this year were Japan, Korea, Nepal, Thailand, India, Philippines, and Vietnam.
“One of the reasons I like the food festival is because it’s not just the food,” Neupane said. “We get to share our cultures with other students and the Kearney community.”
Chance Bell, assistant vice chancellor of UNK Global and ISA adviser, describes the event as an “experiential learning process.” It’s an opportunity for community members to not only try dishes from around the world but also get the chance to engage with international students directly.
“That’s an education in itself,” Bell said. “You get a taste of what their world is like now, and maybe what it was like in the past. Getting this immersive experience of seeing those things up close is what it’s all about.”
Beyond the food, Bell hopes people leave with a new understanding and appreciation for cultural diversity.
“The point of the festival is to create connections with people from across the world,” Bell said. “Seeing that there are so many similarities as well as differences may make us see the world in a different way.”
For some attendees, the food festival has become an eagerly anticipated tradition. The event’s mix of authentic food, vibrant performances, and cultural displays creates an unforgettable experience year after year.
“This is my third year attending the food festival,”said Nicole Beck, a junior nursing major. “The food is always amazing, the performances are so cool, and I’m just amazed by everything.”
The festival is a celebration of unity through diversity, where students, faculty and the community come together to enjoy food, traditions and performances from around the world. It’s more than just a tasting event – it’s a chance to connect with people and learn about their cultures.
“It’s fun to be able to experience food, music and just some of the different people,” Bell said. “It’s so great to be able to meet people from different places and get to know them as a person as well as their culture.”
Photos by Jenju Peters / Antelope Staff
