Students gathered at the Vines Center Oct. 2 to experience different cultures through food, music and cultural displays during Taste of Nations.
The event featured 22 countries and allowed students to connect with peers while learning about different parts of the world.
LU ONE Director of Communications and Student Engagement Melissa Harris said Taste of Nations is a great way to build community.
“It’s a beautiful way to just see how diverse the community here is at Liberty University,” Harris said. “It’s just a really wonderful event to unite the Liberty community.”
Sophomore Emily Andrews is an international student from South Africa and finds a lot of value in the event.
“As an international student, it gives me a taste of the nations as well as of home, and it also gives us the chance to share our culture with everybody else around us,” Andrews said.
Executive Director of the International Student Center Kenny Warren emphasized the importance of student participation.
“This is an opportunity for us to not only increase unity on campus, but build love for one another,” Warren said.
The event provided a fun atmosphere with food, dancing and karaoke. Sophomore Estelle Walker was one of many students who enjoyed the festivities and said culture is important to many individuals.
“I hope students can see just how cool diversity is and just how different other countries are,” Walker said.
Taste of Nations has occurred annually for more than 20 years and continues to be a special event for many on campus.
“I hope that students take away from this is that there is so much world out there… This night is a chance where you can be just at the Vines Center, and you can learn all about your world,” Harris said. “You can really just learn about the beautiful world that the Lord has created for us.”
Burke is a news reporter for The Liberty Champion.