Coming together: International students celebrate diversity at global village

The event features stalls set up by exchange students from several countries.

LAHORE: “I found Pakistani food hard to digest. People think it is because the food is too spicy for me, but I actually find it too greasy,” said Vincent Chen from China at Global Village 2015 on Sunday.

AIESIC in association with Bargad, Plan 9, the Lahore Arts Council and the Youth Department had organised Global Village 2015.

The theme of the event was rediscovering peace by celebrating diversity.

Stalls were setup by sponsors and exchange students from Hong Kong, Somalia, China, Philippines, Brazil and Colombia.

Some students had prepared popular dishes from their country, while others dressed in their traditional dresses.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bargad Executive Director Sabiha Shaheen said that celebrating diversity was important at times when society was being threatened by extremism.

She said the AIESIC had played an important in promoting a peaceful image of Pakistan.

Students of the exchange programme also gave presentations about tourist attractions in their country and talked about their cultural norms. Some students from Colombia and China also performed traditional dances and songs. Many in the audience were seen trying to mimic the steps.

Talking to The Express Tribune Javeria Sheikh, a university student from Somalia, said Lahore had a rich history and that she had enjoyed visiting Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Minar-i-Pakistan.

She said the architecture and construction here were quite different from Somalia, where they did not use bricks for construction.

The event also showcased a performance by musical band Three Musketeers.

This was followed with a performance by Pappu Sain. The event ended with a candle light vigil for those who lost their lives in attacks in Shikarpur and Peshawar.

AIESEC is a global network spread in over 124 countries that provides college students internship opportunities in various countries.

Their recruitment drive for this year is about to start, after which they take the candidates through a rigorous interview procedure.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.