Baruch College’s chapter of AIESEC partnered with the International Student Organization to present Global Village on Oct. 22, in the Multipurpose Room.

AIESEC is one of the largest youth-run nonprofit organizations in the world, and they believe that “youth leadership is not an option, but our responsibility,” according to their website.

In Global Village, visiting students were given the chance to get to know the cultures of different countries, such as the West Indies and Bangladesh, through different activities. 

After completion of at least eight activities, attendees would be presented with a multitude of food items that originate from the different countries.

Activities included trivia and simple questions to answer on paper about cultural backgrounds, among other engaging activities. Food included samosas provided by the Bangladesh Student Association, beef patties provided by the West Indian Culture Club and different variations of kebabs presented from different clubs.

“The purpose of such said activities are for cultural organizations to expose their cultures, cultural backgrounds and how they are passionate for their culture. That way, it ensures for a better transmission of cultures,” said Paris Papadatos, a sophomore majoring in finance who is the vice president of finance for the New York City chapter of AIESEC and treasurer for Baruch’s chapter.

ISO is one of the largest clubs at Baruch, where its goal is to celebrate diversity and encourage international students take advantage of the various opportunities around campus.

“Global Village is AIESEC’s event that ISO is co-sponsoring, as we have close relations,” said Nadia Khan, vice president of ISO. “AIESEC gives out volunteer opportunities around the world, in different countries. ISO represents diversity at its finest, so we come together and celebrate every year.”

Global Village was appreciated by many because of the diversity of the cultures that were presented in unique ways, and the many representations of this diversity that really defined the “global” aspect of the “village” that was created by the collaboration of the different clubs. This included Hindi music and K-pop, among other foreign genres, playing throughout the Multipurpose Room and a dance performance.

“I brainstormed with the E-Board to see what kind of food would be most welcoming for everyone to eat and what kind of activities everyone would enjoy doing. A lot of people don’t know about the Caribbean, so we figured a trivia is a good way to go,” explained Reann Wilson, a junior majoring in data analytics and the president of the West Indian Culture Club. “Beef patties, everyone loves, so we got a bunch of different variations for people who might have dietary restrictions.”

Chaamy Yapa, a freshman, works on the Incoming Global Talent team of AIESEC, and is more involved in the communication part of the partnerships between AIESEC and other companies.

“Appreciate all cultures and just enjoy life,” she said.

“I came here to support multiculturalism, and also for the food. Baruch College is a very diverse college. I think I read yesterday that there are over 110 languages at Baruch, and we all enjoy learning new things,” said senior Constantine Gonias, who is the vice president of the Socrates Hellenic Society and attended the event.

“Global Village” was designed to express the idea that the collaboration between different and unique cultural ideals is what makes up for most of the population, and not only in the United States is this idea dominant, but in other countries as well.

“This goes back to what AIESEC does, because it allows people to get leadership skills, life-changing experience if they go abroad and contributes to making the world a better place. Our mission statement is ‘peace and fulfillment through humankind potential.’ We are partnered with the United Nations and we support them in their 17 sustainability development goals through our volunteer opportunities,” Papadatos said.