On Thursday, April 17, several clubs of Kean University hosted A Taste from Around the World at the Miron Student Center (MSC) Plaza. From 12 to 4 p.m., students had the pleasure of exploring the traditional cuisines of different cultural clubs on campus. The host organizations included the Kean University Portuguese Club, Filipinos Uniting Nations at Kean (F.U.N.K.), Kean University Hillel, Latin American Student Organization, West Indian Student Union, Ecuadorian Student Association, Mexican American Student Association, and the Venezuelan Colombian Student Association.
Upon check-in, students were given a passport to mark each club they had visited, which also gave them a chance to enter a giveaway raffle. There were long lines of students at each club’s table, eager to indulge in delicious foods from each cultural club.
Amira Alonso, a Chemistry major and sophomore from Rochelle Park, shared why she decided to come to the event.
“I was passing by, and I saw the different flags of Hispanic countries, and I thought it was interesting because I’m Hispanic,” stated Alonso.
“I love talking to people, and I love the free food; it’s not bad at all.”
There was no shortage of delicious dishes for guests to enjoy. Some of the dishes presented were Bolos de Bacalhau and Croquetes de Carne from the Portuguese Club, Tres Leche Cake and Frescolita from the Venezuelan Colombian Student Association, Pancit and Lumpia from F.U.N.K., and Coxinhas and Queijo Frito from the Latin American Student Organization.
Leslie Lopez, a Global Business major and senior from Piscataway, came to A Taste from Around the World to discover cuisines that are different from what she is used to.
“I decided to come because I never tried foods from other cultures besides my own culture, so I wanted to try new things,” shared Lopez.
“I’m enjoying the drinks. I’m trying new drinks that I have never tried before, and I really enjoy them. I like the Brazilian soda and sorrel from the West Indian table.”
Many students were pleased to get a break from the freezing weather and finally experience beautiful sunny skies with their friends. This, along with the delicious food offered at each table, made the event even more enjoyable for students.
Prince Bortey, a Computer Science major and freshman from East Orange, was excited to enjoy the warm weather with friends and other students.
“It looked like great vibes with everyone outside and socializing. [I’m looking forward to] tasting the dishes from different cultures and experiencing different meals.”
A Taste from Around the World was an event that represented one of the key values that Kean University proudly stands for. All students were welcome to explore and take pride in the various cultures that are represented on campus.
