39th International Festival
by Byron Lewis

On November 4th, the University of Illinois Springfield, celebrated the 39th Annual International festival. This years festival started off with a bang, with the help of a local middle eastern belly dance troop.

Students and locals from all over the Springfield area came to take in a taste of international food, drink and culture. The university estimates that nearly one thousand people attended this years festival.

International Program Director Erika Suzuki had this to say about the festival's impact on foreign student morale.

"I think that the international festival makes them feel better, because you know, they wear their home country costume, they enjoy their home country food, so being close to their home country's culture makes them comfortable, feel better, I believe."

In additional to free ethnic food, music and dance from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin america. Attendees were able to see a fashion show with authentic ethnic costumes.

Plans for next years festival include, a series of basic language classes and extending the festival to a whole day.