Every autumn, as they did November 21, the Penn Valley Applied Language Institute (ALI) brings campuswide attention to their program. They celebrate with a Harvest Festival for everyone to share in the cultural and linguistic diversity of the college faculty and student body. There are usually around 350 students from 70 different countries who display their country's unique qualities for everyone to enjoy.

Students from Mexico, Somalia, Columbia, Serbia, Venezuela, China, South Korea, Japan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia proudly portrayed photographs, video documentaries, cultural clothing, artifacts, music, theatrical songs, and dance moves during the festival activities, which took place in the mid-level dining area of the cafeteria.

Monica Mingucci, Director of ALI for the past thirteen years, said, "The purpose of the event is to honor cultural diversity on campus and demonstrate cultural appreciation." Mingucci wishes that "the general student population would take the time to get to know the international students, communicate with them and embrace their culture."

The Applied Language Institute has developed a solid community of campus culture, language and education for visiting international college students. MCC - Penn Valley has an intensive Learn English, Live English program that provides great educational opportunities for students from all over the world.

Haidra Mosis, a PV student from Sudan, described many aspects of his country's culture. Mosis stated that "North and South Sudan has two completely different cultures within the same country. We share everything." The Sudan display featured women's skirts and beads, mufraga (a kitchen tool for crushing grain), and a gara (a kettle for drinking tea and milk.)

Takemi Funahashi, a PV student from Urawa, Japan, exclaimed, "I love America. I am so spoiled here. I like the Kansas City Chiefs and eating Oreos." Funahashi explained that Japan has many beautiful places, as well as traditional art forms and sports. Origami paper art, Sumo wrestling, baseball, and soccer are a few of Japan's most popular traditional forms of entertainment.

The ALI staff believe that the community of students on campus will benefit from developing friendships and camaraderie, and seeks to create a level of understanding that spans culture, countries and language barriers. By celebrating these differences and similarities, they hope to help dissolve the stigmas that follow multicultural and multilingual communities.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College