The YWCA of Ames sponsored it’s annual International Friendship Fair on April 18. Representatives from 11 countries presented their culture, history, food and traditions.

The goal of the fair was to give visitors the opportunity to dispel stereotypes and gain intercultural understanding.

Representatives displayed boards, pictures, maps, flags, jewelry, traditional decorations and clothing from their country.

Visitors had the chance to learn more about the countries of Indonesia, Columbia, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, India, Nepal, China and Bangladesh.

The IFF has been organized by the YWCA for six years. But this is the first time it was celebrated inside the Memorial Union.

“This usually happens in Ames schools to help explain to children about the different cultures of the representatives,” said Manasi Ambulkar, global outreach coordinator of YWCA and graduate student in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering. “This is the first time it is conducted in the MU to have students as well as Ames residents visit.”

In order to make this as interactive as possible for the visitors, many representatives set up unique games and opportunities to explore.

At the table for Ecuador, visitors could learn about the countries flora and fauna and participate in a game of targeting Ecuador, one of South Americas smallest countries, blindfolded on a map.

The Malaysian representatives displayed traditional kites called wau that are made of wood and painted in bright colors, as well as the head of the traditional lion dance costume.

Visitors were also invited to play a Malaysian game called Batu Serembon which involves throwing a number of small pouches or objects into the air with one hand and catching it with the same.

The traditional henna drawing was offered by the representatives of India. Visitors were also encouraged to learn about the country’s different music styles, foods and animals and were able to look at jewelry and clothing.

“We summed up the different flavors of India and show it’s diversity,” said Apoorva Acharya, international student from India and graduate student in supply chain and information systems.

Adding to the interactivity of the event, visitors were given the chance to learn how their name is written in Arabic from the Saudi Arabian representatives and were able to participate in a quiz with questions about the countries at the fair. If visitors knew the currency of one of the countries or could name three different capital cities, they won a YWCA magnet card.

“I wanted to make this event very interactive,” Ambulkar said. “I wanted the audience to get involved.”

Ambulkar said she liked the outcome of the event a lot.

“Everyone made very good efforts. They brought inspiring material and were very enthusiastic about their cultures and countries,” Ambulkar said.