The Office of International Affairs, along with more than 30 Ohio State student organizations and the Campus Dining Services chefs, are coming together to prepare an evening of international food, desserts and cultural performances for the campus community at the 2008 Taste of OSU and World Carnaval, which is set for Friday, January 25 from 5 p.m. to midnight at the Recreational and Physical Activities Center (RPAC).

The event is free and open to all OSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends. Food tickets cost $1 and the funds are donated to each of the participating student organizations. The majority of the student organizations will prepare foods with an international flavor that are characteristic of their home countries.

“Taste of OSU enables students from different cultures to share some of the cuisine from their home countries with the campus community,” said Dieter Wanner, Interim Associate Provost of the Office of International Affairs. “The event provides the students with a leadership and team building opportunity and allows all of us to experience the growth of our international community at Ohio State first-hand.” 

The early evening will be highlighted by the international foods, the Campus Dining Services chefs’ dessert competition, performances presented by the student organizations and Dublin’s Taiko Drummers. From 9 p.m. to midnight, the Moonlight Madness event will feature dancing to international music, karaoke, international board games “street” performers and light refreshments. Guests will be able to make free international telephone calls from 5 p.m. to midnight.

The schedule of events throughout the evening includes:

• 5-7 p.m. – Campus Dining Services Chefs’ Competition
• 5-9 p.m. – International foods and cultural performances
• 5 p.m. to midnight – Free international telephone calls
• 9 p.m. to midnight – Moonlight Madness – Dancing to international music, karaoke, international board games and “street” performers, and more

Student organizations who will be showcasing foods and cultural performances include:

Cultural exhibitors include:

East Asian Studies Center
Middle East Studies Center
Center for Slavic and East European Studies
Center for Latin American Studies
Center for African Studies
Mershon Center

A wide range of campus departments come together in support of Taste of OSU and World Carnaval, which last year attracted some 4,000 people. Sponsors of the event include: Office of International Affairs, Moonlight Madness, Undergraduate Student Government, Campus Dining Services with University Catering, Ohio State Rec Sports, Alumni Student Council, Office of Information Technology, Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience, Office of Minority Affairs, East Asian Studies Center, Middle East Studies Center , Center for Slavic and East European Studies , Center for Latin American Studies , Institute for Japanese Studies and Coca-Cola.

About the Office of International Affairs