Smith MBA Students Celebrate 4th International Night

MBA students at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business represented more than 16 countries and four continents as they celebrated the Fourth Annual International Night, Feb. 21, 2013.

The event kicked off with a splendid international food expo, where international students set up tables and showcased some of the best cuisines from their home countries. The first floor of Van Munching Hall was transformed into an exotic food court, packed with more than 300 Terps eagerly waiting in line for a taste of authentic foods from Bangladesh, China, France, Ghana, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Peru, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela.

One of the highlights of the night was Matsuken-Samba II, a Japanese group dance featuring kimono costumes, face-painting and amusing hip-swaying moves and samba steps that set the audience on fire. The crowd also cheered for their fellow students who showed off some fearless kicks and fists in the challenge with former Thai kickboxing champion. The International Night concluded in high spirits with the routine Chinese Lion Dance, bringing oriental blessings of fortune and luck to the Smith community.

“These guys are getting better each year!” exclaimed Shreevardhan Lele, assistant dean of academic affairs of MBA programs, speaking highly of the organizing team behind this event.

International Night, as part of a series of International Week activities, is one of the most anticipated Smith community gatherings organized by Asian MBA Association. The event enables students to form close bonds with their cohort colleagues, appreciate the diversity of different cultures, and enrich their learning experience through collaboration in a true global community.