International Week, organized by the International Student Council, starts Friday night, celebrating diversity and all the cultural differences brought to Iowa State from all across the world. 

International Week kicks off Friday night with the International Dance Night fundraiser from 8 to 11 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

Tickets to the event cost $2, and the proceeds will be going to Orphan Sponsorship International.

“The organization helps kids in other countries; it provides services to the kids whether that be health care or education, but it helps kids hopefully break the poverty cycle,” said Kate Krezowski, humanitarian awareness director and senior in civil engineering. 

Krezowski said participants will learn two dances from the Descarga Latin Dance Club and the Bollywood Dance Club.

The event will continue into Sunday night, with International Food Night from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and will be at the Memorial Lutheran Church across from the Memorial Union.

Firdaus Ridzuan, events coordinator and senior in geology, said the night allows different student organizations representing different countries to present food to sell.

“Some of the countries that are represented are Russia,Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Nepal and Pakistan among others,” Ridzuan said. “I think this a casual way for students to bond over food and also this allows the Ames area to be exposed to traditional cuisines from around the world.”

The International Bazaar is Monday night, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. 

“This is in the same line as the International Food Night, but there is not food served,” said Latif Masud, president and senior in electrical engineering.

Masud said the bazaar is more about experiencing culture.

Eight cultural organizations are signed up to present different aspects of their respective cultures and allow the attendees to participate in some interactive activity, Masud said. 

“Some of these activities include henna drawing done by the Indian group and calligraphy done by the Korean group,” Masud said. 

Cameras will be provided by Sony so students can take pictures in traditional clothing from different cultures, Masud said.

The next event is the International, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in 1352 Gilman Hall.

“We will be showing ‘English Vinglish’; it’s in Hindi and in English, so it’s very easy to understand the subtitles,” said Onalie Ariyabandhu, vice president and junior in economics.

Ariyabandhu said this movie is focused around one woman’s struggle to learn English after moving to America in the 21st century.

Masud said they will be selling popcorn and pop at the event and profits will be donated to the disaster relief for victims of the typhoon in the Philippines.

The final event of the week, International Night, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday in the Great Hall in the Memorial Union.

The last event ties together the whole week, said Fang Hao Lim, events coordinator and junior in microbiology.

Lim said there are various dance performances from different cultural organizations, and a fashion show, which showcases traditional attire from different countries.

Lim said there will also be free ethnic food at this event.

Masud also said that during the beginning of this night, 12 $500 scholarships will be presented to pre-selected students. The money was raised by the International Student Council at the Veishea International Food Fair this previous spring.

“One important thing students should understand is that International Week is not just for international students to participate in,” Ariyabandhu said. “It’s for everyone; there is no limitation and most of the events are free.”