BY DIANE GILES
dgiles@kenoshanews.com

When Sidra Syed carried Pakistan’s flag to kick off the University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s Worldfest Week in the International Flag Ceremony a couple years ago, she was just one of nearly 50 international students and faculty members in the colorful parade.

It was, she said, a memorable experience.

“You feel proud representing your country,” Syed said.

For Syed and other students, the annual Worldfest Week and the group that organizes the event, the Parkside International Club, provide a connection to home and allows them to learn about each others’ cultures.

Syed, a senior, is a native of Karachi, Pakistan, and has been a member of the club since her freshman year. With students hailing from a variety of countries, including India, Brazil, Columbia and Mexico, the club is a veritable United Nations.

Syed said the International Club tries to get all the cultural organizations at Parkside involved in Worldfest Week, which begins Monday.

“We have 21 programs in one week and all promote awareness and the diversity here at Parkside,” Syed said.

All events are free, with the exception of the third annual World Cuisine Dinner, an evening of entertainment and culinary dishes from around the globe. The dinner is from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at the university’s new Student Center Ballroom.

The eclectic lineup of entertainment includes: Polynesian Dancers of Hale-o-Malo and the Dnipro Ukrainian Dancers; a fashion show featuring traditional garments from the world over; and an assortment of student singing and dancing performances.

“We’re always changing up things for the dinner each year,” Syed said.

Tickets for the dinner are $6 for Parkside students with ID; $9 for non-Parkside students; and $20 for others. Tickets can be purchased at http://tickets.uwp.edu.

Organizers suggest getting dinner tickets early as they have sold out the past two years.

Worldfest Week is just one way UW-Parkside shows it values the university’s international students and faculty, Syed said.

“The staff is always willing to help us out,” she said. “Anytime we want to hold a discussion on a certain topic, we’ll ask professors and they are always more than happy to help.”

For more information on Worldfest Week or the World Cuisine Dinner, contact Parkside International Club adviser Tony Kwiakowski at (262) 595-2279 or Consuelo Clemens at (262) 595-2701.