Global Harvest highlights diverse cultures at Kean

On Nov. 12, the second annual “Global Harvest” took place in Kean University’s Miron Student Center, Room 228 where all students were welcome.

The event was hosted by Asian Studies in collaboration with the Center of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Indian Cultural Club, the International Student Association,Wenzhou-Kean University students and other organizations at Kean.

Upon entering the event, there were different tables attributed to each of the organizations. Information and food was offered by each group at the event which included: Nigerian “Puff Puffs”, South African “Droewors”, and South African “Melktert” in addition to other treats.Students and guests asked questions about each organization and culture while enjoying the food.

Africana Studies and their culture. Photo Courtesy of Petruce Jean-Charles

At the “Global Harvest” event, director of Asian Studies, Xurong Kong, spoke of the event’s impact on student’s understanding of culture.

“Asian studies started to organize this event along with other groups on campus to celebrate the harvest season,” Kong said. “We started in 2016 but the event in 2017 made a big splash, mainly because of the diligent promotion.”

Each program involved in this event has seen an increase of interest in their programs, and more awareness of the diverse cultures on campus according to Dr. Kong.

“For each cuisine, we had $50, which was shared by Asian studies, Global studies, and Office of International Studies,” Dr. Kong said. “We [also] invited other cultural groups to display their cuisines and explain their tradition of celebrating fall.”

Joanna Kristine Ninal, secretary assistant for Asian Studies had participated in this event back in 2016 and was a part of the organization process this year.

As a student and worker within the Asian Studies department, Ninal was also a part of “International Education Week”. “International Education Week” was a series of events that started on Nov. 12 along with the “Global Harvest” event and lasted until Nov. 15.

“This event is important to Kean University because it’s during ‘International Education Week’ which is celebrated all over the world,” said Ninal. “With a good portion of Kean being diverse, it unites the campus by connecting cultural groups together to have a Thanksgiving lunch.”

In America and other parts of the world, the purpose of this event was to put less focus on religion but more focus on the exchange of cultures.

Information supplied at this event. Photo Courtesy of Petruce Jean-Charles

“Our purpose for the event is the overall main idea that we are all thankful to be here in this community we call home,” Ninal said.

Ninal described “Global Harvest” as an experience to learn and appreciate different cultures, especially at Kean.

“In the past, I was introduced to snacks from African and Jewish culture, two cultures of which I’m not really exposed to,” said Ninal.

She said the event allows students to gain knowledge and meet people from different programs, and perhaps even branch out to major or minor in one of the programs.

In a political climate where culture and diversity is under attack, it was important for a

university campus like Kean to initiate awareness of cultures within the community, Ninal noted.

“Being aware of other cultures and the differences within our society can help people improve their approach, relationships, and overall attitude to others,” Ninal said. “It’s a good thing that everyone is different. People need to see that.”