Inclusion Week at Villanova kicked off early this year with Multicultural Night at the Oreo. On Thursday, Sept. 25, representatives from different cultural and identity organizations on campus came together to show off the foods of their respective cultures. The organizations involved included Asian Students Association (Asian Students Association), Korean Students Association (KSA), Chinese Student Association (CSA), Filipino American Student Association (FASA), Vietnamese Students Association (VSA) and Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity (LPHiE).
“I believe it is important to note that our organizations are not Asian exclusive but Asian interest,” ASA and LPHiE President Jacob Wong said. “My hope for this event is that people, regardless of whether they know what Asian culture is, to find our culture interesting and appealing and find their own passion to join our organization for our other events throughout the year.”
VSA President Nhi Bui agreed, emphasizing the importance of learning about unfamiliar cultures and their traditions.
“As a cultural group, we want students who may not know much about Vietnamese traditions to have a chance to experience them firsthand,” Bui said. “Inclusion Week brings different communities together in one space, which makes it easier for students to explore and appreciate cultures beyond your own.”
ASA served Chinese food and appetizers, such as scallion pancakes, chicken and vegetable potstickers, vegetable fried rice and General Tso’s chicken. KSA served sweet, sour and plain chicken, while FASA served classic Filipino foods, such as garlic rice, chicken adobo and a delectable stir fry noodle called pancit sisig. The CSA also served sago, a sweet and creamy dessert soup consisting of sweet potatoes, coconut milk and tapioca pearls.
“Villanova’s Multicultural Night is great because it highlights the beauty of our diverse identities within a community like Villanova,” FASA co-President Tristen Gambito said. “It is a space where we can share our backgrounds and traditions. Sharing these meals invites people to experience the flavors of our culture firsthand, opening conversations and building connections.”
There were small, but fun activities for attendees to partake in, including a spot to take photos with friends and a wheel students could spin to earn prizes. People also enjoyed decorating paper fans, a traditional Vietnamese activity made personal.
“We haven’t been as active recently in engaging the broader student population, so this event is a great way to reintroduce ourselves and spark new interest,” Bui said. “It’s also a chance for us to share something meaningful from our culture in an accessible and fun way.”
Calum Huang, the president of CSA, added that events like these allow cultural associations on campus to spread their message and traditions with the greater student body.
“I believe that participation in this event is important not only for the Asian community and our representation around campus but also to give everyone a piece of what makes our culture unique,” Huang said.
Perhaps the most noteworthy part of the event was the diversity among the attendees. Villanovans of all gender, racial and ethnic identities came together to eat some delectable food and build appreciation for different Asian cultures.
“Growing up, these traditions shaped who I am and sharing them helps me stay connected to my roots while introducing others to something meaningful,” Gambito said. “It’s also a way to show pride in my heritage and to ensure that others see the beauty and value of it.”
Students interested in learning more about these groups can find them on VUGroups or follow their respective Instagram accounts. Students interested in more events held by these groups can look forward to the Mid-Autumn Chinese Festival, an annual Chinese tradition, being held on Oct. 4 by the Chinese Student Association and the Chinese Studies Program.
