Since the beginning of the semester, the International Programs Office (IPO) has sponsored Friday Rendezvous presentations, where international students have a chance to teach the campus about their native countries.

"The presentations offer an awesome opportunity for Augie students to learn more about different countries and connect with international students on campus," senior International Programs Intern Maren Peterson said.

The aim of the Friday Rendezvous program is to provide a forum for sharing and learning, while breaking down cultural barriers and stereotypes.

"Our international students are understandably proud of their countries and people," International Program Office Coordinator Cathy Lindamood said. "They are eager to share the traditions and beliefs of their culture with all of us."

Some of the international students whose studies are sponsored by the U.S. State Department are required to do a presentation about their country as a condition of their studies.

"I started to prepare my country presentation while in Kazakhstan," exchange student Anzhelika Osmanova said. "According to the requirements of the program I came through, I need to make at least two country presentations: one is on-campus and another is off-campus."

Osmanova was the most recent presenter at Friday Rendezvous. She felt the importance of giving many students a first impression of her native Kazakhstan.

"I felt a huge responsibility on my shoulders," Osmanova said. "I knew that people would try to judge Kazakhstan looking at my presentation."

Osmanova highlights the value of Friday Rendezvous drawing more attention to the different countries and cultures represented on campus.

"It is a great tool to virtually visit a place you have never thought to visit," Osmanova said. "Especially for American students it is a great opportunity to understand international students' culture. You see us in classes, in hallways, in the cafeteria, but you hardly know what we think about the world and how we think you perceive us."

In the past, the IPO sponsored Friday Afternoon Teas, where international students would gather in the Huddle with their friends to decompress, strengthen bonds with other international students and to also touch base with IPO staff.

The concept for Friday Rendezvous grew out of a desire to use those meetings to further the sharing of the diverse cultures that are represented across campus. The desire was for international students to share both with each other, and with the campus community.

"I really enjoy attending them and hearing the excitement each student has for their home culture and traditions," Peterson said.

The presentations also aim to promote cultural understanding, awareness and acceptance.

"I have never missed a single presentation," Osmanova said. "I really love it. It is really interesting to see your friends talking about themselves and their home countries. International students are usually sincere in their desire to share their experiences with everyone who comes."

Lindamood believes these presentations are especially important because Augustana students will one day be working in an increasingly globalized world.

"Students will benefit from understanding the varying perspectives articulated by our international students during the Rendezvous presentations," Lindamood said. "We want to make Augustana students stop and think about how cultural norms color our perception of the world around us."

The presentations are also made accessible to students because they are given by fellow peers.

"I value the opportunity to learn about a country from someone who is from there and speaks the language, as opposed to learning from a professional or a website," senior International Programs Intern Ihoby Rakotomalala said. "It's more genuine coming from a student."

As well as being informative, Friday Rendezvous also allows for the time to visit with friends and connect with students from both the United States and abroad.

"Students will make new friends, develop an appreciation for different cultures, expand their understanding of our world and have fun to boot," Lindamood said. "What more could you ask for?"

Friday Rendezvous is held every Friday at 3 p.m., beginning with $1 drinks in the Huddle before the presentation in the Back Alley.

Today's presentation features Davit Sioridze presenting about his native Georgia.