Group connects students to new cultures

Each year, approximately 500 students arrive wide-eyed and alert at the University of Cincinnati to begin orientation designed to welcome international students. These students, as well as the international faculty and staff, represent about 100 different countries from all over the world.

Cultural Connections, a student group at the University of Cincinnati, helps connect international students and communities found on campus with American culture.

"It's a huge shock to come to come to the United States from a different culture or country," said Irena Nikcevic, president of Cultural Connections. Nikcevic who is currently a graduate student in chemistry moved to Cincinnati from Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia) in 2003.

"We are here for friendship and support. There is no other group on the University's campus that brings together these different races, religions, and people into a friendly environment. Our goal is to learn and share the different cultures and religions of the world and have fun while doing it," Nikcevic said.

Cultural Connections currently has about 40 members and holds its weekly meetings at

5 p.m. in room 645C at the Steger Student Life Center.

"We have representation of all continents on earth but Australia and Antarctica," Nikcevic said. "We also have representation of nearly all the world's different races and

religions."

The weekly meetings are designed to help meet new people, explore different cultures and religions, and plan trips. "We like to explore U.S. culture with these trips," Nikcevic said. "This year we went to Washington D.C. for a long weekend and recently we went to a Native American museum in Zanesville, Ohio."

Cultural Connections takes approximately six trips a year. Larger trips, like the visit to Washington D.C., are scheduled to take place twice a year and smaller outings, like visiting the Native American museum occur once a quarter.

"Last year, for our smaller trips, we went to Louisville, Mammoth Caves, which is also in Kentucky, and Amish country," Nikcevic said.

In addition to planning and taking trips, Cultural Connections plans local events. "We also organize salsa dancing nights which includes dancing lessons from a professional performer," Nikcevic said. "We also go on riverboat cruises, host belly dancing nights, and have movie nights as well as other activities that are fun."

Two yearly events that occur on campus are International Week, which takes place Fall Quarter, and Worldfest, which occurs Spring Quarter.

"International Week encompasses lectures, displays and offers different activities that promote the international effort here on campus, and provide academic involvement in the global environment," Nikcevic said. "Worldfest typically occurs in May and is a week-long celebration of our diversity. There are performances, international festivals, food and guest speakers."

Both of these events expose UC students, faculty, and staff to different world cultures, religions, and food. "It is a good way to for other people to learn about new cultures and try new food," said Nikcevic.

"One of the best things about Cultural Connections is meeting people from all over the world," Nadine Stecher, a graduate student in chemistry said.

Cultural Connections is available to students, faculty or staff members who want to meet and make friends with people from all over the world. "I love meeting new people," Stecher said. "This club is a great way to meet someone special."

Students, faculty or staff who are interested in joining Cultural Connections may visit www.uc.edu/groups/csquare/index.htm for more information

or contact Nikcevic at nikcevi@email.uc.edu.