Dazzling cultural performances, camaraderie among students of different countries and mouthwatering food from around the world - that’s what’s in store for those who attend this year’s ISCO Festival.
“The purpose of the ISCO Festival is to showcase the cultural diversity present at Troy University, working toward broadening our understandings of our neighbors around the world,” said Jay Valentine, associate professor of philosophy and religion and faculty advisor for ISCO.
The International Student Cultural Organization (ISCO) is a club dedicated to fostering relationships between international and domestic students and prioritizing international culture. The ISCO Festival is an annual celebration that helps ISCO fulfill that purpose. This year’s theme is “World Wide Open.”
Kathryn Clark photo
An entrancing Chinese dragon performance from the 2023 ISCO Festival.
“Not only is it a celebration of culture, but it’s also a vital community event which promotes diversity and mutual understanding by showcasing different cultures,” said ISCO President Haley Morgan, a senior biomedical science major from Jack, Alabama. “Our organization is here to support the international and domestic students in cultural exchange, and this event is one of the big ways we achieve that.”
The festival takes place every fall semester in the Trojan Center ballrooms. Admission includes a full three-course dinner with dishes from around the world and a show put on by international and domestic students, complete with musical acts, dance performances and more.
Not only does it provide a platform for students to showcase their talent, but it introduces the audience to international culture, too.
As the big day approaches, ISCO executive members are looking forward to seeing all their hard work and planning come to fruition.
“I'm just very excited for people to see it this year,” Morgan said. “We've done this for a long time and are just really grateful to be able to set the stage for these international students with such talent.
“I am always nervous as the festival approaches as it requires a lot of work and involves multiple moving pieces,” Valentine said. “At the same time, I am excited for the show, the part I look forward to the most.”
International students are eager to share their culture with others.
“It is important to showcase international culture because it is by knowing someone you can understand them,” said Richard Dankwah, a sophomore computer science major from Accra, Ghana. “By understanding, you can appreciate and respect them.”
Dankwah is an international student from Ghana who performed a captivating afro-dance routine at last year’s festival. He said he is more than excited to return to the stage.
“I have a positive feeling because I am not only going to be on stage performing alone, but with a few friends I made over the past year,” Dankwah said. “It’s like I am fulfilling my childhood dreams of having a diversified and inclusive dance club.”
Attendees of the festival can see Dankwah’s routine, along with several other international performances by students who have worked very hard to prepare for the stage.
This year’s ISCO Festival will be Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Trojan Center ballrooms. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for non-students. They can be purchased during tabling in TC or by contacting an ISCO member.
For more information, visit ISCO’s Instagram page @isco_troyu.