There are advantages to attending a university that has student representation from such a wide variety of countries.

Scholars who come to Iowa State to study from overseas are able to expose American students to different fashions, languages, customs, cultures — and as a result, Americans are given a broader world view.

Just like many types of learning experiences, the exchange of culture goes both ways. Many international students at ISU are eager to meet Americans who can expose them to American culture.

These relationships don’t happen overnight, though. It takes time and energy to learn about different cultures, and it often takes an event to begin the learning process.

This year’s first show of Cafe Au Lait, a multicultural talent show designed to help ISU students learn about different cultures, is scheduled for tonight.

Since its birth 10 years ago, the program has blossomed into an evening anticipated by students and faculty from all cultures. From belly dancing to storytelling to instrumental performances, the night always has something to cater to the tastes of almost anyone.

“This is a night that really mixes everything up,” said Kathy Svec, programming director for the Memorial Union.

Svec helped organize Cafe Au Lait when the program began and said it was first established as a program to be organized by an international student interested in work study.

“The international students and scholars figured out a way to give work study/financial aid to international students,” Svec said. “If you could hire one of the students in that work study program to do something related to different cultures, you could have that student to work in your office.”

And that’s exactly what the Student Union Board did. A student named Mike Riley, whom Svec describes as having a “very broad musical interest,” came up with the idea for the program and decided to call it Cafe Au Lait, which technically translates to “Coffee and milk.”

However, Riley’s original idea was to get across the idea that the performance would be “entertainment with a little extra twist,” the twist being the international focus.

The program began as a weekly performance at 4 p.m. with three to five acts.

“It was kind of a ‘drop in at the end of the day’ thing,” Svec said.

Over the years, Cafe Au Lait has not only changed its show times to the evening, but it has become a somewhat formal occasion. Most of the acts, especially the dancers, dress up to complement their style of dancing, and the musical groups put on their Sunday clothes for a good presentation.

“The costumes are very cultural, and the music is very diverse,” Svec said.

Although cultures from other countries are represented, Svec said the American culture is always presented.

“It’s always a mixture of international and American culture,” Svec said. “You would have an Irish dance, then you would have regular American kids singing a folk song.”

The first Cafe Au Lait of the year will be held tonight at The Maintenance Shop, with refreshments being served at 7 and performances beginning at 7:30. Admission is free.