The Shorthorn - BSM sends a Big Howdy to international students

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BSM sends a Big Howdy to international students

Written by Shelby Weir, The Shorthorn staff

Thursday, 21 January 2010 06:44 PM

Interested international students will receive a Texas welcome with food, music and line dancing at the Big Howdy party. The gathering, which aims to introduce international to American students, kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday in the University Center Rio Grande Ballroom.

At the beginning of every fall and spring semester, Christian organizations around Arlington join together to throw the Big Howdy party for all international students. Volunteers from different groups and churches come together to host a series of events to meet new students, said Joanna Jespersen, Baptist Student Ministry international ministry coordinator.

Information

Admission: free, along with free food
Location: University Center Rio Grande Ballroom
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday

No specific attire necessary

“This is a way for the Christian community to say ‘hello’ and ‘welcome’ to students who have flown from all over the world to come to school here,” she said.

BSM is one of the organizations who helps coordinate the event. Some of the other groups involved in the planning include International Student Incorporated, University Catholic Community and the Salvation Army along with several local churches.

Some things planned for the spring party include free food, music, line dancing and Bhangra Dancing, which is a type of Indian dancing.

“We have huge tables lined up with all sorts of food,” Jespersen said. “Typically, we wait another hour and a half to two hours before we start entertainment. We have a lady who comes out to teach line dancing as well.”

Big Howdy isn’t just about the party though, BSM Director Gary Stidham said.

“The party is the last event in a series of services to help internationals,” he said. “We have furniture garage sales, airport pick-ups, Wal-Mart caravans and in the fall we did a tour of Fort Worth.”

Big Howdy’s goal is for the international students to build friendships with American students.

Electrical engineering graduate student Alan Pereira said he’ll remember the line dancing as soon as the music comes on. He said he also made friends when he attended the event last year.

Building those friendships is extremely important, Jespersen said.

“When internationals come here, they don’t know where to go, what to do or where to find stuff,” she said. “We’re on the other side of it and we see this need that they have, so we can reach out and help the students.”
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