Ben - CP #3

A couple weeks back I had an amazing time attending the CIES Open House! Rather than only speaking to one student at this event, I was able to speak to a variety of CIES students from all over the world. I talked with students from various countries in the Middle East (and even learned a little Arabic from them), Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia. It really gave me an appreciation for just how global the CIES community is. Everyone had such fantastic things to share from their countries: food, culture, dance, food, language, artifacts, food, and did I mention food?! There was such good food all over the place! Food from Japan, China, South Korea, Cote d'Ivoir, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Spain, the list goes on and on. I had some of the best coffee I have ever had in my life from the Brazil room. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that each room in the CIES building housed a specific are of the world to explore and experience. The CIES students would greet you and show you around and tell you about their country and their culture, it was pretty spectacular.
I have to say that the Africa room was my favorite. Everyone in there was dancing, they had this amazing platter of various foods, the music was great, and not one person left the room without a smile. It was also a cool opportunity for me to practice some of my (rather basic) French skills. Many CIES students from various African countries speak French (or a language very close to French) as their first language. I've been studying French for about two years here at FSU and I jumped at the opportunity to practice some of my skills. I am happy to report that I more than held my own and many of the CIES students were impressed with my mad French skills. I know the most common rule in the CIES building is speak English only, but I felt like the Open House was a chance for people from all over the world to speak and express and communicate their own unique language and culture.