Each August the Iowa State Fair rolls around, providing an opportunity to travel to Des Moines and take in what the state has to offer. It also offers a chance for international students to experience something out of the ordinary.

Brian Chee, senior in electrical engineering, is planning to visit the fair on Saturday. This will be his first fair experience.

“I heard [the fair] was pretty cool,” Chee said.

Chee, who is from Malaysia, said there isn’t anything similar to the fair back home.

From the perspective of an international student, Chee said, the fair is a good way to see U.S. culture.

The butter sculpture is on the list of things Chee wants to see, and he also plans to try different foods such as fried Twinkies and Snickers bars.

Hanging out with friends and taking photos are other things he plans to do while at the fair.

“I’m looking forward to doing photography,” Chee said.

Rachel Gan, junior in food science, went to the fair last year, just two days after arriving in the United States from her home in Malaysia.

“It’s a brand new experience,” Gan said. “[There’s] nothing like it.”

Gan said she will hopefully spend the whole day Saturday at the fair since there is so much to do and see.

Like Chee, Gan said she finds the array of foods available, such as fried Oreos, surprising, although she isn’t tempted to try them.

“To me, [the fair foods are] something really interesting,” Gan said.

The concerts are another part of the fair Gan looks forward to.

Visit www.iowastatefair.com for directions to the fair and more information about events and entertainment.