Holi – The Indian Festival of Colors

“Diversity” is something that Hofstra welcomes and the students enjoy and appreciate. With students from almost every part of the world, Hofstra makes sure to keep its students connected to their culture so they never feel home-sick. By celebrating various festivals of different nations, students can make another home-away-from-home and enjoy different cultures apart from their own culture; hence allowing them get involved in things outside of their academics.

Colors, music, food, love, forgiveness, smiles, joys, fun and enjoyment are the words that describe this amazing Indian festival “Holi.” At this event, participants are given packets of different color powders that they can throw at each other. Imagine a water balloon fight, but instead of getting wet, you are doused with amazing array of colors.

This year’s Holi was organized by Zarb South Asian Student Association and Hofstra Indian Student Association on April 26 at the Hofstra Intramural Field. There was free Indian food for lunch that allowed students to tantalize their taste buds, especially for Indian students who had been craving for good Indian food for long time. The Indian DJ was an add-on at this event as students really enjoyed dancing to Indian beats.  


It was a warm sunny Sunday morning, perfect to celebrate this festival and welcome the spring. There were more than 150 students that participated in this event. The best part was that there were not only Indian students but also huge number of American and other international students that came out to celebrate this exciting festival.

Guest Blogger: 

Kavneet Baweja
Graduate Student – MBA Business Analytics
Graduate Student Coordinator, Multicultural and International Student Programs Office

Exhibit of Nations

Looking back at the spring semester, we would like to highlight one of the cultural events that our students coordinated to celebrate the diversity of the world.

On April 29, 2015 Hofstra International Students Club (H*INT) organized an extravaganza event “Exhibit of Nations.” The idea behind this event was to celebrate the international diversity that our international students from over 62 nations across the globe bring to Hofstra University.

Our international students from various nations actively participated in this event. There were different tables set up by the students exhibiting the culture of their respective nations. These tables had collection of many interesting things like flags, stamps, currency, photographs, traditional dresses, snacks, handmade things etc. The tables were then judged based on how well they displayed and explained their culture to the audience. The judge panel included Sonia Fernandes - Assistant Director from MISPO, Kavneet Baweja – Graduate Coordinator from MISPO and Athraja de Silva – President of H*INT and they decided to award Japan, Bangladesh and Costa Rica first, second and third prize respectively.
     

There were also various multinational dance performances, like Indian Bollywood dance by Hofstra Zeenat, African dance by Hofstra African Student Association and Ballet dance by Hofstra Ballroom. Not only this, but students also enjoyed delicacies of Asian and Hispanic cuisines offered for the dinner.

To sum up, it was a night of frolic fun and vibrant colors all around as Hofstra students really enjoyed the food, music and the cultural display of different nations all under one roof and at one place.

Guest Blogger:
Kavneet Baweja
Graduate Student - MBA Business Analytics
Graduate Student Coordinator, Multicultural and International Student Programs Office (MISPO)

Cherry Blossom Festival

On April 26, staff from the Multicultural and International Student Programs Office and over thirty Hofstra students attended the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, also known as Sakura Matsuri. The festival is an annual event that centers around celebrating Japanese culture and the rise of the spring season’s cherry blossoms.

This year, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens celebrated the 34th Sakura Matsuri. The festival was a two day event with over 60 scheduled performances, acts, and activities that showcased Japanese culture. Some of the performances included Taiko drumming, Kabuki Buyo Dance, a Japanese Standup comic and cosplay acts.

MISPO and Hofstra students (including the Hofstra Japanese club) went to the second day of the festival events. We arrived at noon and with the help of  the Brooklyn Botanic security staff we were able to bypass the long lines that were waiting to get inside of the gate. Once inside we were met with the wonderful sight of beautiful spring foliage and flowers, flowers that would normally go unseen in the city of New York.  Inside of the garden gates were ponds and multiple performance stages. We spent most of our time watching the main stage. On the main stage was Kabuki Buyo dances performed by the wonderful Dancejapan with Sachiyo Ito and a segment from Samurai Sword Soul. The sword performance incorporated theater with combat of a dangerous battle. The whole event was miraculous and the students really enjoyed their time at the festival.

This was the last event wrapping up our celebration of Asian/Pacific Islander month and our last heritage month program for the spring. Be on the lookout for upcoming cultural programs in the fall.

Guest Blogger,
Jason Spradley
Multicultural and International Student Programs.

Club Sports Roundup

Hofstra Club Baseball took on the University of Delaware at Wantagh Park on Saturday, May 2^nd and Sunday, May 3^rd and needed to sweep the series in order to qualify for the NCBA North Atlantic Regional Playoffs.  Back to back wins on Saturday kept the dream alive as Justin Cusano and Mike Ahrens impressed from the mound. The Pride took Game One 8-5 and shut out the Blue Hens 5-0 in Game Two. Sunday’s final game was a case of ‘win and in’ for Hofstra, but Delaware was up to the task, and managed to snatch a 15-5 victory, striking out Hofstra’s hopes of advancing. The Pride finished the season with a 9-6 record.

Hofstra Club Baseball stretching before their weekend tilt with the University of Delaware.

Hofstra Men’s Rugby Club enjoyed their Alumni Day on Saturday, May 2^nd. With Hofstra Music Fest getting underway next door, a large crowd came out to watch the Men’s Rugby Club alumni take on the current side, whose last minute try clinched a 29-24 victory in a very competitive contest.

Hofstra Men's Rugby Club huddling up!

Hofstra Billiards were back at Baldwin Billiards on Sunday, May 3^rd for another round of APA matches. Charlotte Wood continued her good form with another set of victories, and Nolan Whitehead, Liam Doogue, and Hammad Imran also secured wins for the Pride.

Hofstra’s 29 Club Sports are always looking for new members and welcome all experience levels.  If you would like to find out more information about joining one of our clubs, please visit hofstra.edu/recreation and click on the ‘Club Sports’ tab, or feel free to visit us at the Hofstra Fitness Center with any questions you may have!

 

Ruby Staplehurst, Guest Blogger
Graduate Assistant, Recreation and Intramural Sports