With a stomp of their heels and a swish of their brightly colored dresses, Maria-Paz Rogers and Yolanda Badilla caused a room full of SMU students, alumni, faculty and Dallas residents to put down their forks. After the clicking from their ivory castanets stopped, applause erupted from the packed tables. Those still in line to sample the various cuisine stalled as Rogers once again took the stage to perform a traditional flamenco dance. With a flick of her wrist a forest green fan sprung to life, setting the tone for Global Connection’s annual International Night.
Global Connections, a campus organization dedicated to the integration of students of all nationalities, held International Night on Wednesday. Hughes-Trigg was engulfed with the smells of cooking from across the globe. For $5 those in attendance were treated to Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Italian and American cuisine. For dessert, Pokey O’s catered cookies and ice cream.
Global Connections offered dinner and a show, treating the spectators to live dancers from professionals and SMU students.
Nicol Wiegandt, president of Global Connections, said the purpose of the organization is to bring people together. Originally from Mexico and with roots in Germany, Wiegandt believes International Night and Salsa Night, Global Connection’s large event held first semester, help the organization create bonds among students.
Global Connections has only been on SMU’s campus for five or six years.
“We want to promote an international culture,” Wiegandt said.
Co-advisor Todd Chiscano said that the club is making strides. When he began working with the program four years ago there was little organization. He worked with advisors and students to create a constitution and build membership. While anyone can and is encouraged to join, international students at SMU are automatically considered members.
“It’s not just an organization for international students,” Chiscano said. “It’s an international organization for all students.”
Yolanda Badilla, a flamenco dancer at the Daniel de Cordoba Bailes Espanoles, has been donating her time to International Night for four years.
“I love coming to SMU,” she said, an orange flower nestled in her hair. “I love the program; there is such camaraderie here, people are always laughing and joking together.”
Matt Esquivel, a senior majoring in vocal performance, said that he attended International Night for the great food and friends, though the dancing was a perk. Many students shared his reasoning. James Haney, a graduate student in statistics, attended his second International Night.
“I came last year and really enjoyed it,” Haney said. “It’s great food at a good price and I see a lot of people I know.”
