Language department invites friends, food for culture

By Claire Byun
byunc@mytjnow.com

Food, language and culture should all be grouped into similar categories.

That’s how the Department of World Languages and Culture is participating in globalization, at least. 

The department recently initiated conversations between students enrolled in language courses and their international counterparts. Some French and Spanish professors invited students from around the world to share their food, language and culture with their classes, as part of the Global Learning Initiative (GLI).  

Elizabeth Evans, language instructor, coordinated the meetings to infuse the department with more international culture and further Winthrop’s GLI. 

The World Languages and Culture department was recently renamed from the Department of Modern Languages.

“With a name change comes a renaissance of embracing Winthrop’s international community, where we value diversity,” Evans said.

Evans’ French 101 and 102 courses dedicated a day to learn more about French students and their respective cities. 

“It’s unbelievably important to have visitors—it’s absolutely necessary,” Evans said. “It’s not always the grammar that the students are going to remember about France.”

Grammar may not stay in a student’s mind, but an exotic food experience will. The international students were allowed to bring food into the classroom, using GLI grant money for their expenses. 

“You can’t talk about culture without talking about food,” Evans said. “It’s one of the first things that come out of your mouth and the first that goes in, too.”

Cecile Leung, French professor, took a bite out of the culture bug and invited international students into her French 301 course. 

These students, however, hail from Saudi Arabia and practice Islam. But why invite students from the Middle East over those from a Francophone country?

“Because there are so many misconceptions about Islam, we wanted to get to know their culture and the students themselves better,” Leung said. 

Leung and a few of her students attended a lecture on the topic of “Imagining Islam,” where they learned how many Americans “dehumanize” Muslims and their prophets, Leung said. When asked how to change the situation, the lecturer told Leung to get to know their counterparts—food included. 

“What we gained from the encounter was mutual respect,” Leung said. “The time spend together eating and talking was positive in the sense that it enabled us to view the other with respect.”

Four students shared their culture with Leung’s French 301 class: Mahammed Alhammadi, Mohanad Alotaibi and “AZ” all originate from Saudi Arabia, while Zayed Almadidy is from Iraq.

Most students asked about the cultural shock of coming to America and how their nation differs from the U.S.

“It’s just like any other country—there’s good people and bad people,” Alotaibi said. 

Muslim generosity and respect for the fellow man is something quite different in Saudi Arabia, AZ said. Charity is an important aspect of Islam, AZ said, and though many people are not rich they strive to aid the community. 

“The country is rich but not the people,” AZ said. “But in my country there are no homeless because we help each other. We’re not rich but we’re all people.”

While dress, food and religious beliefs were discussed, the event ended with an explanation of problems faced by Muslims in smaller cities, similar to Rock Hill. 

If he could live anywhere, Alotaibi said he would choose a major city with many different cultures and nationalities. 

“The problem with Rock Hill or a smaller city is that I could meet a country boy or Republican who doesn’t understand my culture,” Alotaibi said. 

The American students thanked their visitors and were grateful for the experience, and Steve Rivard, sophomore international business and French major, enjoyed the Muslim presentation. 

“It gives us an open mind toward other cultures and we are able to gather into one united community,” Rivard said.