NCC International Festival boosts study-abroad learning
Early February can be dreary, with holiday festivities long over, the snow turning gray and the days still short.
And that makes it the perfect time for a celebration, says North Central College English professor Jack Shindler.
"Having the event at this time of year is part of its charm," he said.
Hundreds of others in Naperville agree - or at least they have for nearly two decades. That's why the college's Office of International Programs will host its 19th annual International Festival again on Sunday, Feb. 8.
The event celebrates Naperville's cultural diversity with educational exhibits, international cuisine, language immersion rooms, multicultural performances, gifts and more.
Shindler, who is also director of the Office of International Programs, said the all-ages celebration initially was created by the Naperville Area YMCA. But after the first four years, the planning committee dissolved and Shindler volunteered to keep the event alive, making it a fundraiser for the college's study-abroad programs.
"It was a natural fit," he said. "The most important thing is that people have a chance to learn that there is this diversity of cultures in our midst and that we should celebrate and appreciate it."
Proceeds from event admission benefit the International Scholarship fund to support overseas students coming to North Central, as well as North Central students who study abroad.
The college offers 50 programs in 22 countries around the world on five continents. Shindler said studying abroad has grown in popularity in recent years because it teaches important life skills that also impress students' future employers.
"A lot of study-abroad's popularity is because it's a very good background experience to have for any job or any field of study," Shindler said. "It teaches students to be better equipped to handle perspectives from people different from themselves and to be flexible in situations outside of your comfort zone.
"It's also a way of simply expanding the education you can get," he added. "Being a small college here, you get all of the benefits of being at a small college. But when our students go abroad, they often get the experience of studying in a larger university."
The International Festival features ongoing entertainment throughout the day, with 14 performance and dance troupes representing Ireland, Europe, Russia, Asia and the Philippines, as well as gymnastics and martial arts demonstrations.
Meanwhile, local cultural organizations and North Central College clubs will have interactive booths where visitors can learn about language, traditions, art and more. Children can have an event passport stamped at each booth they visit and can enter their stamped passports into a prize drawing.
Guests who would like to try a more in-depth experience with language and culture can sign up for one of the 30-minute sessions in an immersion room, where native speakers, teachers and students will talk to participants only in Chinese, German, Japanese, Greek, Russian or Spanish and will encourage visitors to follow the customs of the country. Space in the immersion rooms is limited. Those interested can reserve a spot in advance by calling (630) 637-5132.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 at the Office of International Programs, 48 E. Jefferson Ave., next to the bookstore, or at the door for $6.
If you go
What: North Central College's 19th annual International Festival
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8
Where: Gregory Arena at Merner Field House, 450 S. Brainard St., Naperville
Tickets: $5 in advance; $6 at the door
Info: (630) 637-5732 or northcentralcollege.edu