International Night is the largest cultural festival that ASU celebrates. Each year, it provides the international student body, which counts for almost 18,000 people, with a place to come together and share their cultures.
This event was a part of International Education Week, which occurred on Nov. 14-18, and was organized by the Coalition of International Students.
International Night 2025's theme was "Key to the World," and besides student organizations' tabling, included various carnival activities for attendees.
Daniz Maharramli, a freshman studying biological sciences, attended the festival because being from Azerbaijan, she said she relates to the international community on campus.
Maharramli said that events with an intercultural focus are important to hold as they contribute to the personal growth of an individual by exposing them to different cultures.
"We're in America, which is known for diversity," she said. "So this kind of events makes it more special for us."
The festival also included on-stage performances, such as DJ sets, music bands and dance collectives. Accompanied by upbeat music, Ali Omais, a junior studying civil engineering, presented a part of Middle Eastern culture with his dance club, Dabke United.
Dabke is a traditional folk dance that includes energetic stomping, jumping and hand holding by a group of people in a line or semicircle at joyful celebrations.
Omais, the club president, said while there are various Middle Eastern student associations on campus, which allow students to socialize in a more traditional format, he is not as involved there as he is with the dance club.
"Dance and music is the way that I like to connect with people," he said.
Many students share the opinion that the arts are a vital part of their cultural identity. The Afghanistan Students Association table sparkled with bright traditional clothes and exceptional headpieces.
Arifa Sanjar, a junior studying data science and an event manager for the Afghanistan Students Association, said the club displayed the traditional fashion to show the beauties within Afghan culture.
"We are the young generation, and we are showing the positive things of Afghanistan to the people," Sanjar said.
Bina Kumari Rauniyar, a sophomore studying astrophysics, said her main goal while tabling with the Nepalese Students Association at ASU was to improve the outreach of the community.
This issue blossomed from her personal history of struggling to find other Nepalis on campus.
"The struggle or the trouble that I had to go to to find my community here at ASU, I feel like the incoming students now, they should not be having that," Rauniyar said.
Both Sanjar and Rauniyar deeply appreciate and are proud of their culture's hospitality.
"The most important thing, and everyone knows about it, is Afghan people are really hospitable," Sanjar said. "If you go to Afghanistan, even if you do not know anyone, they will invite you to their houses, and they will offer foods."
Food is another way that connects people, and it was very obvious from the number of people lined up in front of the booths offering attendees a choice of multicultural foods.
Students were introduced to Chinese and Indian cuisine, as well as Asian specialty drinks.
Maharramli credited the food as the highlight of the event. On the other hand, James Flamm, Friends of Internationals leader, said he did not receive much interaction with students because most of them spent their time in line for food.
FOI was founded by an international student from India over 40 years ago. The club comes from a Christian worldview, but Flamm said they are interested in engaging in discussions about all faiths and religions with respect and understanding.
"First and foremost, the students know we love them, regardless of their culture (and) their beliefs," Flamm said.
The goal is to provide students with love and support, and to fulfill the need to be seen, Flamm said. The club balances their religious aspect with community building, and while Friday nights are reserved for religious education, many activities do not have a focus on that, he said.
Rauniyar said while she enjoys sharing her culture, learning about other countries' customs and traditions brings her even more joy.
"Events like this are a very nice opportunity to have that perfect blend," Rauniyar said.
Edited by Natalia Rodriguez, Senna James, Tiya Talwar and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at dkovalen@asu.edu.
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Diana is in her first semester with The State Press and second semester at the Cronkite School, pursuing a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in political science.
