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International students experience Valentine’s Day at ball

February 12, 2012

Students from all over the world gathered on Saturday evening at the Mariott at University Place for the International Students Association Valentine’s Day Ball. From salsa dancing to a five-man jazz band, the evening offered a number of festivities, as well as a chance for students to make new friends.

Photo by Kellie Rowe | The State News

When Laos native Pazau Moua hunted through her wardrobe for a dress to wear to the International Students Association’s Valentine’s Ball on Saturday, the English senior decided she wanted to sport Cupid’s day colors.

“(I found) the only thing in my closet closest to red,” she said. “I’m pretty excited to be here.”

With her boyfriend supply chain management sophomore Jerry Vedua, who wore a red tie to match his date’s dress, the couple attended the 7th annual International Student Association, or ISA, Valentine’s Ball on Saturday evening in the University Ballroom at the Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Ave.

This year’s theme was Winter Wonderland, and snowflakes and blue icicles hung from the ceiling as more than 200 students from across the world were in attendance.

ISA president Zuleikha Zadran, whose family is from Afghanistan, said she hopes the event encouraged students to collaborate and enjoy the holiday.

“We want to celebrate love all around the world,” she said. “We try to bring everyone together to celebrate.”

Graduate student Di Kang, a member of the ISA executive board, said the event helped students to make connections among their peers.

“Typically international students are shy, but at big parties like this they are more relaxed,” said Kang, from China. “Hopefully here they can get to know each other and some of the American culture.”

In addition to music, lights and a buffet, ISA invited three special guests to entertain the crowd: the State Swing Society, members of the MSU Salsa Club and a five-man jazz band.

After performing two dance numbers, State Swing Society dancer Scott Osdras, a comparative cultures and politics senior, said the event was the club’s debut.

“We usually don’t perform for anyone — this is the first time we’ve been asked,” he said. “We usually just do it for our own fun, but I think it went really well.”

Graduate student Shahlo Safarzoda, who said her native country of Tajikistan began celebrating Valentine’s Day two years ago, said she appreciated the ISA putting on such an extravagant event.

“It’s a good way to help people meet others and make new friends,” said Safarzoda.

And Safarzoda said she did just that when she met another graduate student, Saltanat Mambetova at the ball. The two realized they were from neighboring countries — Safarzoda from Tajikistan and Mambetova from Kyrgyzstan, which are both in central Asia.

As she glanced around the ballroom, Mambetova said she was impressed by the thought put into the event.

“I like the ice hearts, and it’s a very perfect location,” she said. “It’s nice to wear nice dresses because you can’t wear them every day.”

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