Today I got the opportunity to go visit a local school during what I'm told is their biggest fundraiser of the year. This is an international school for children of missionaries, government and embassy workers, etc who are living long-term in Argentina. So naturally, there are many different countries and cultures represented at this school, and every year they hold an international day.
When I was invited I was picturing something along the lines of a few booths set up in a gym or maybe a courtyard if it was nice out, with some food and entertainment here or there. But what the event ended up being was this huge international fair in the courtyard of the school (it was a beautiful day). Booths selling cultural food and sometimes products were created by so many different countries, from India to the UK, Brazil to Kuwait, Mexico to Canada, and everywhere in between. The food stands each had amazing food, and there was a parade at the beginning where all the countries were announced as the students and their families did a lap holding flags, wearing their nations colors, and some wearing traditional dress.
There was also really unique entertainment throughout the afternoon as well. The school band played which totally brought out my inner band nerd, songs were sung in various languages by students, there were Korean hip hop dancers, a man played bagpipes, little Indian girls danced...we never knew what to expect next.
I honestly don't know much about this school, but if the school as a whole is half as well done as this event then the students are very lucky. You could tell that the community they've created cares about the students, and while every culture is obviously proud of their background, it's apparent that they all successfully merge into one whole student body without lines drawn in the sand.
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