By Amanda Serjani
Jefferson University holds an inclusive environment of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds which all separately have their unique traditions, customs, and values. Although each culture is distinct and special in its own way, there are also a lot of similarities between them, that when recognized can unify them. A lively and interactive way to showcase the beauty of our university's cultural diversity was by hosting a multicultural fashion show.
Source by Sara Matraku
Participants of the multicultural fashion show smile for a picture at the end of the event.
Together, the Albanian Student Association, Asian Student Association, and Filipino Student Association held a student-run fashion show where students strutted and posed to display a variety of cultural backgrounds. As junior Katie Chin put it, “It was a unique way to bring the Jefferson community together! It united us through cultural displays of food, music, and performances.”
A total of twenty-four students’ outfits were showcased, representing countries including Albania, Cambodia, China, Haiti, India, La Guinée, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Vietnam.
It was not only a uniting event for the viewers and participants, it also was for those who hosted the event. Secretary of the Albanian Student Association Izzy Cayemitte revealed, “I think it was really fun because by collaborating with other multicultural clubs and having people from a variety of backgrounds come together, we were able to meet people that we otherwise would not have met on campus which was exciting.”
Sources by Sara Matraku
From left to right, Alexia Tefa, Tina Ta, Amanda Serjani, Victoria Diaz, Sara Matraku, and Izzy Cayemitte pose for a picture in their traditional clothing; Cindy Sako and Serjani hold the Albanian flag.
Ashley Anousaya, a senior and the president of the Asian Student Association, said, “The fashion show this year was so great! After last year we were super excited to collaborate again on such a fun event. It was really empowering to see everyone come together to represent their cultures with such pride! We definitely need more intersectionality like this on campus!”
"It was really empowering to see everyone come together to represent their cultures with such pride!"
At the end of the fashion show, a traditional food buffet was made open to students, friends, and families. The foods included jerk chicken, baked mac and cheese, and rice from Haiti; japrak, baklava, and byrek from Albania; lumpia, puto, and pancit from the Philippines; stir fry noodles from Taiwan; and scallion pancakes from China. While the students ate, there was a quiz that people could take that featured questions about the countries people represented and the winner received a thirty-dollar gift card. Overall, there were great reviews from students who attended.
“It was really festive, welcoming, and the environment was nice and the food was good,” said senior Ahmed Barba-Bey.
“I really loved the energy in the room and how everyone was very supportive and excited to celebrate the different cultures,” said sophomore Naomi Rice.
Sources by Ashley Anousaya
More than ten cultures were represented in the fashion show.
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