Popular Global Student Celebration continues to grow

The Global Student Celebration, Purdue University Fort Wayne's annual festival of international culture, music, and community, will be held Friday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Walb Student Union.

One of the campus's most well-attended events for more than a decade, this year's celebration is expanding again. The GSC will utilize both the Classic and International ballrooms for the first time. Featuring seven local vendors, the international meal starts at 4:30 p.m. in the Classic Ballroom, followed by the parade of nations at 6 p.m. in the International Ballroom, where the performances start at 6:30 p.m.

At the end of the performances, the Global Glow after-party, which is also open to all students, will take place back in the Classic Ballroom at approximately 8:30 p.m. Highlights of that gathering will include a DJ, photo booth, and even more food. The celebration is sponsored by the Office of International Education, and the after-party by the International Student Organization.

"We always try to take feedback and improve the Global Student Celebration year after year," said Shelby Mansfield, assistant director for International Student Services. "Something that was apparent after the 2023 celebration was that we have outgrown the space in the International Ballroom to be able to host the food and the performances in the same spot."

There are 439 international students representing 51 countries attending PFW this semester, and the celebration drew approximately 500 participants last year, including members of the Fort Wayne community. Entry is free for students, while staff, faculty, and community members are asked to bring one nonperishable item, which will be donated to the FRIENDS of the University Pantry.

The event provides students an opportunity to share their diverse cultural backgrounds with the campus community. The GSC culminates International Education Week, which is a joint venture between the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education that kicked off on Monday.