Celebrating Cultures

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International Day unites people with music, dancing, arts, food

Japanese language Professor Michiyo Okuhara stands between two signs that read “love” and “friendship” in Japanese with a group of students. Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

International Day organized by Clark’s International Programs was a roaring success on February 13.

A line of preschoolers from Child and Family Studies walked into Gaiser Student Center with their teachers and immediately expressed delight at the array of activities happening around the room—including drummers, a flying dragon, martial arts, and belly dancing. The children seemed eager to try everything.

Clark alum Moses Korir with his son, holds his new book, Moses and the Impossible Piano. Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Alumni shine

Three Clark alumni shared their expertise with the Clark community during the event:

  • Artist Christian Barrios was on hand at the unveiling of the mural “Coming Together for Art and Peace.” He designed the mural. It was painted by Clark students, staff, and faculty during a community mural project on campus during International Education Week last November. Barrios had taken the mural back to his studio to add outlines and a black background. He finished it with a protective coat. Later the mural will be installed near the coffee shop in Joan Stout Hall.
  • Author Moses Korir read aloud his new children’s book, Moses and the Impossible Piano that tells his story of growing up in a village in Kenya, encountering a piano for the first time, and then embarking on a life-changing educational journey to the United States to follow his dream of becoming a music teacher.
  • Belly dancing instructor Dr. Ona Parker taught a basic belly dancing lesson with about three dozen enthusiastic students, faculty, staff, and preschool children moving their hips to the music. Dr. Parker was an international student at Clark College and later was a faculty member.
Left to right: Christain Barrios, Dr. Karin Edwards, and Spanish Professor Erika Nava stand in front of the completed mural. Photo: Clark College/Maureen Chan-Hefflin
Student Ambassador Kaden shows off his new Henna tattoo. Photo: Clark College/Susan Parrish

In addition, students from McClaskey Culinary Institute and the Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program prepared empanadas, falafel, salad rolls, and salted dulce le leche blonde brownies. People waited in a long line to sample the delights.

Other highlights

  • A video of Clark College international students talking about their experience
  • Kendo Dojo demonstration by Camas Kendo Dojo
  • Chinese drummers and dragon demonstration by Oregon Chinese Coalition · Information about the Study Abroad program
  • Henna tattoos by Glitter Ruby’s
  • Making origami penguins
  • Much more

About International Programs

International Programs provides support services and opportunities to foster a global perspective and cross-cultural competence for Clark College and the communities it serves. The program also offers an intensive English Language program. During the 2023-24 academic year, Clark College has 57 international students. Learn more here.

Left to right: Associate Director of International Programs Jody Shulnak, Christain Barrios, Spanish Professor Erika Nava, Interim Associate Director of Student Equity and Inclusion Rosalba Pitkin, and ODEI Program Manager Katia Quintero. Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
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