International Education Week at Dakota State University
International Education Week (IEW), an annual initiative by the US Department of Education, is celebrated by universities all over the nation in November. This year, Dakota State University celebrated International Education Week from November 18 to 22 with a diverse range of events held throughout the week. The events were organized through the collaboration of the International Programs Office and the International Club at DSU.
Day to Day Highlights
Monday: Table Tennis Tournament
Table tennis, more known as Ping Pong, is a celebrated activity among international and local students at DSU. We can see students playing it almost anytime in the Trojan Centre. Knowing the popularity of the game, the organizers planned to include this tournament as a fun activity in International Week. It received an overwhelming participation of 40 plus candidates. To ensure a fair and enjoyable tournament, a pre-league session was held to categorize players into Beginner and Advanced groups.
| Winner | 1st Runner up | 2nd Runner up | |
| Advanced Category | Satishma Thapa | Terence Bista | Nicolas Wieberdink |
| Beginner Category | Babu Chiring Sherpa | Anshu Adhikari | Ajit Mandal |
Satishma Thapa bagged the winner title in the Advanced category by beating Terence Bista in the finals leading by 3-0, while Babu Chiring Sherpa won against Anshu Adhikari by 3-1 in the beginner category. The winners were awarded Trojan Silver as award
Tuesday: Movie Night
On Tuesday, the Science Center Hall became a cozy host for Movie Night featuring Brief Tender Light. The film shared true and touching stories of four international students at MIT and conveyed homesickness, cultural differences, and the stress of succeeding so far from home.
As I sat there, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey as an international student. The self-doubting and longing for home of these characters felt so real; I could feel the connection in the room.
Wednesday: The Potluck!
The Potluck was one of the most memorable events to have taken place during International Week. Relaxed, casual, and free-flowing, it brought together students and faculty members at the Prairie Playhouse for an evening of food, conversation, and culture. Tables were lined with dishes from every part of the world, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of DSU’s international community. It was the kind of event where you could sit with friends, enjoy a plate full of flavors you might never have tried before, and learn something new about someone’s home country.
The food was remarkably varied, from Indian panipuri and biryani to the South Indian Pongal and Mango milk. Pakistani curry added its bold spices, while momos and keema noodles brought in the taste of Nepal. Central Asia was represented with Kazakh pulau, and European flavors appeared with German pizza. Korean dishes offered a mix of sweet and spicy, while Ethiopian, Nigerian and Rwandan cuisine added a unique touch to the table. Every single bite seemed to spark a new conversation or bring back a memory for someone.The Potluck was a beautiful reminder of how much we can learn from one another. It left everyone with full plates but, more importantly, fuller hearts.
Thursday: The Talent Show
This year’s International Week Talent Show took over the TC Underground last Thursday in a burst of energy that celebrated creativity. The stage saw performers from both local and international backgrounds shine bright with hauntingly beautiful vocals, mind-blowing guitar solos, and lively dances that got the crowd cheering for more. The small, enclosed venue made it a comfortable setting, almost like hanging out with friends in an intimate space. Each performance brought something unique, and the audience was enthralled from beginning to end. I think it was a perfect reflection of International Week: bringing people together through art, music, and talent
Friday: Pool Tournament
Who doesn’t love pool in DSU? It’s one of the revered activity in the Trojan Centre. The International Week at Dakota State University concluded with a pool tournament at the Trojan Center on Friday. Most of the international students joined in for a fun event as two-person teams with catchy names like “Blue Power Rangers” and “Daal Bhat,” a name inspired by Nepal’s national dish. The venue buzzed with energy as cheers and shouts echoed, with students enthusiastically supporting their friends in the competition.It served as a fitting finale to this year’s International Week, leaving students with cherished memories and a sense of unity that transcends cultures.
This chain of events over a span of a week got together students from parts of the world, reminding that despite different cultures, languages, and traditions, the same desire which unites us in belonging, celebration, and understanding encircles us. With laughter over shared meals, with cheers in competitions with soft-spoken reflections during the movie night-this was a week that celebrated the beauty of and the strength diversity brings to our community.
