Valerie Brayton
Staff Reporter

The Global Diversity Committee hosted a dinner for area international students, their host families and roommates and faculty in the Activity Center of NIACC on Monday, November 10. "This is a chance for international students to meet other college students," NIACC Spanish instructor Charlie Schroeder said.

A game of bingo, some salsa dancing and a friendly atmosphere made everyone feel welcome. Anna Maro, from Tanzania, said she chose NIACC to study nursing. "I love it here," Maro said. She said meeting new people and making new friends at events like the international dinner have helped make her experience here a good one.

Schroeder estimated that about 50 people showed up for the event, which gave everyone an opportunity to mingle.

Kathy Rogotzke, chair of the Global Diversity Committee, said this dinner is an opportunity for different international students to get to know different countries and cultures.

Eunice Clouse, a host mother from Forest City, agreed.

"These opportunities give us new friends and itŐs fun to see what others think," Clouse said. This year marks Clouse and her husbandŐs fifteenth experience hosting foreign students, all which have hailed from 15 different countries.

Clouse said that it is fun just to exchange ideas with other host families and help people with situations they encounter.

New flags from countries that have students attending the college for the first time were recognized at the dinner and Rogotzke said the Global Diversity Committee is trying to do other events to recognize different groups and holidays with students.