The international student picnic greeted Oakland’s campus in 60 different ways on a sunny June 26 afternoon.
Moody jazz serenaded Elliott Tower, performed live by a trio of musicians.
How Parisian.
Gatherers chatted and fluttered about. The ethereal movement patterns are unique to a college campus.
Transient.
But with a dream instead of a destination.
It represents a true cross-cultural coalition coming together to bring all who are willing to have a brighter and more informed afternoon.
Oakland’s Creating American and International Relationships chapter co-hosted the event with the International Student Office, the French Club and the Spanish Club.
Scarcely a week goes by without some international student organization having an event on campus. Oakland is home to a wonderfully diverse student body. The students and faculty alike often engage in that gift to its full richness.
“It’s the most fun,” Adem Althor, the Executive Director of Global Engagement of Oakland University, said. “Just walking around… to meet all the students and learn about where they are from.”
Adem is a walking embodiment of what he believes in. A sharp man — with striking features and a calm, wise presence. In his face, if one looks closely, one can spot the meeting of worlds.
His father is from Yemen, and his mother is American. Adem brings his narrative to work in the way only the most passionate and adept people can.
A godsend for his job.
He and the other faculty, particularly within the Klein Center at Oakland, work steadfastly to ensure a beautifully stitched quilt of a student body.
“We’ve got students from 60 different countries represented. That’s pretty cool.”
Yet despite the clear benefit, it is incredibly rare for so many organizations to come together on campus.
It is hard to see two club presidents in the same building.
To have even more at the same clock tower for a prolonged get-together? Rarer than the bluest moon.
The turnout was remarkable. Even at the twilight of the event, it was swollen with happy faces.
Paper flags, bracelets and all kinds of goodies lined a welcome table hosted by the most hospitable members the myriad clubs could muster.
There were prolonged stretches in which the table at the clock tower was filled with a group of friends, new and old, trying to learn more about each other. And at times, there were even more students, standing as if on a train ride, between tables of laughter and the live band.
“Whenever we can get them all in the same room,” Adem thought, appearing to remember other occasions so many people have come together, “the magic happens.”
The goal of the event was described by several people as bringing many different sorts together. Giving them a picnic on a sunny day. Putting a smile on their faces and encouraging them to go about and mingle.
In that respect, the event was incredibly successful. Not a frown in sight. Tables and circles were full of people who did not look the same — and almost definitely disagreed on a great deal — just finding community under a golden Midwest sunshine.