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)