The International Club will host its annual Culture Week from March 23-28, bringing a week of events that celebrate cultures and traditions represented across the Wartburg campus. Through activities, food, art and performances, the week is designed to highlight the diversity of the student body while creating opportunities for students and faculty to learn from one another.  

This year’s theme, ‘One World, Many Stories,’ reflects the idea that cultural traditions are connected to the personal histories and experiences of the people who share them. Tanishka Chandel, vice president of the International Club, encourages students to think beyond the surface of cultural celebrations and recognize the deeper meaning behind them. 

“Culture Week is not just about food or dances. It is about the stories people carry with them and what those traditions mean to them,” says Chandel. 

Planning for the week begins early in the semester, with International Club leaders reaching out to organizations across campus to collaborate on events and programming. The goal is to represent as many cultures and student perspectives as possible while creating opportunities for the campus community to participate and learn. 

“We started planning Culture Week at the beginning of the semester by reaching out to different diversity organizations across campus,” says Chandel. 

Several campus organizations are partnering with the International Club to help organize events and celebrate cultural traditions throughout the week. Some of the organizations involved include the African Heritage Collective, Wartburg Alliance, Latino and Hispanic Heritage Society, Asian Student Association, Wartburg College Social Work Club and Black Student Union. 

“I-Club tries to bring together all the cultures represented on campus into one large event and give recognition to as many countries and nationalities as possible,” says Chandel. 

The week will begin Monday, March 23, with International Games Night at 6:30 p.m. in the Ubuntu Lounge. The event will give students the opportunity to learn and play games from different cultures while connecting with others on campus in a relaxed and social environment. Organizers hope the event will encourage students to interact with one another while learning about games and traditions that may be unfamiliar to them. 

On Tuesday, March 24, students can attend Self Care and Community Live Art at 7 p.m. on the first floor of Vogel Library. The event will focus on creativity, wellness, and community through live artistic expression, allowing participants to explore cultural storytelling through art and shared experiences. 

A Senate Candidate Forum will take place on Wednesday, March 25, at 7 p.m. in the McCaskey Lyceum. The forum will provide students with the opportunity to hear from candidates and engage in conversations about leadership and representation within the campus community. 

One of the larger events of the week, Culture Night, will be held on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. in the Saemann Student Center. The event will feature a variety of organizations and activities representing cultures around the world, including traditional henna, flag bedazzling, trivia and many more interactive experiences for students to engage with from around the world. 

On Friday, March 27, the International Club will host a Dessert and Teas Bar at 5:30 p.m. in The Hub. The event will offer a variety of desserts and teas from different cultures and give students a chance to experience new flavors while learning about the traditions connected to them. 

Culture Week will conclude Saturday, March 28, with the Culture Show at 4 p.m. in Neumann Auditorium. The show will celebrate the diverse backgrounds and traditions of students through music, dance, and cultural performances. 

The show will begin with a vibrant flag parade, highlighting the many countries and communities represented on campus, and will conclude with a colorful fashion show, allowing students to showcase their identities by wearing traditional attire from their cultures. Admission is free for students and $3 for faculty, staff and other attendees. 

Rishita Gathala, an active member of the International Club, notes that the performances and events require significant preparation from students who participate in the week’s programming. 

“Students begin preparing for Culture Week early because we want the audience to understand and appreciate the effort that goes into the performances,” says Gathala. 

Gathala explains that the goal of Culture Week is to create opportunities for all students to participate and learn from one another, regardless of their background or involvement in international organizations. 

“It is not just an international student event. We invite U.S. students to participate so there can be more cultural exchange and exposure,” says Gathala. 

Organizers say the theme ‘One World, Many Stories’ emphasizes the individuality and diversity within the campus community while also highlighting shared experiences among students. Through Culture Week, the International Club hopes to showcase the stories that shape cultural traditions and identities while creating a space for celebration, learning, and connection. 

For more information and updates about Culture Week events, follow the Wartburg International Club on Instagram at @iclubwc, and stay connected through the Wartburg Juice newsletter for all the latest news.