Two of the largest international groups at Iowa State — Chinese and Indian students — have been working to promote awareness of their cultures and countries.

The Chinese students recently celebrated their Mid-Autumn festival, and the Indian students will have a dance festival Saturday called Dandiya.

Chang Liu, president of Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association, said the Mid-Autumn Festival was successful and fun.

“It was one of the largest events of the year,” Liu said.

“It took us one month to prepare for the festival.”

Liu said the association plans to have a fall dancing party and a job-hunting seminar this semester.

“There might be some sports event, too, but we are not sure yet,” he said. “We do have some very good soccer, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and badminton teams.”

Liu said the group will also participate in the international food festival in November.

“I think we will recruit some volunteers for the food festival,” he said.

Liu said there are about 700 Chinese graduate students at Iowa State.

“I am not sure about the number of the Chinese undergraduate students here. But there should be more than a thousand Chinese students, including their families,” he said.

Liu said Ames is good for students because they can focus on their studies.

“There is not much temptation, so you can concentrate on your study,” said Wenzhuo Shang, Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association vice president.

Shang said the Chinese students at Iowa State spend their spare time watching movies, playing sports and hanging out.

Vikram Prodduturi, secretary for the Indian Students Association, said the group has been also doing a lot of activities for Indian students.

“We’ve been showing a lot of Indian movies, and we will have festivals such as ‘Dandiya and Diwali,’ Prodduturi said.

“We have three movies coming up this weekend, and they will be shown at the Design auditorium.”

Prodduturi said the Indian Students Association does a good service for new Indian students.

“When new students come to Iowa State, they often need help with housing and airport pickups,” he said. “We contact those new students and help them.”

Srisarath Patneedi, sophomore in computer engineering, said he likes Ames.

“In terms of partying, it’s probably not the best, but I think Ames is good for studying, and it’s peaceful,” he said.

Fahim Godil, student ambassador for India, said there are many ways for students living in India to know about Iowa State.

“Iowa State is very famous for graduate study in India. Senior students who have studied and graduated from Iowa State go back to India and they tell about the school,” Godil said.

Godil said the Indian students have ISU cricket clubs, and many Indian and Pakistani students play in them.

“We have tournaments twice a year, and we also have interstate matches. For example, we go to Kansas City and Omaha to play,” he said.

The Indian Students Association will have a dance party called “Dandiya” from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

Patneedi said there will be dances and snacks for students.

Prodduturi said there will be another Indian festival called Diwali in November.

“Diwali is bigger than Dandiya, and it [Diwali] will be celebrated on Nov. 13,” he said.