A&M International Students to Host "International Festival"

International student body members at Texas A&M International University are offering members of the community a chance to travel the world in four hours...without leaving Laredo.

The students, who hail from some of the 39-plus countries that are represented this Fall on campus, will host the "Third Annual International Festival: Around the World in Four Hours," on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the Plaza in front of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library.

The event is co-sponsored by the Association of International Students (AIS) and the Student Government Association (SGA). It is open to the public and free of charge.

Spyros Charalambous, AIS president, said the event offers students an opportunity to showcase their native country and culture and share their home with others.

"We've traveled thousands of miles to attend A&M International and this gives us an opportunity to take our new University and Laredo friends home with us for four hours. We've been working closely with our embassies to offer displays, create some sample foods from our cultures and provide an opportunity to expose others to our homelands," he explained.

A native of Greece, Charalambous is a graduate student in International Logistics. He noted that over 20 countries are participating in the afternoon event.

"We're going to have representation from all five continents and for the first time, we'll also have the United States represented by the SGA, our co-sponsor. In addition to individual country displays, we'll also have videotapes and live performances by the University's Ballet Folklorico," he said.

Charalambous said students have worked closely with their advisors and fellow students to offer an intriguing afternoon of visits to foreign lands.

"We're all very appreciative of the efforts of those who have helped us, including the SGA and its president, Arturo Sanchez; our sponsors including David VerMilyea, Dr. Sanjay Rai, Gabriela Mendoza and all of our fellow students," he said.

For more information on the "Third Annual International Festival: Around the World in Four Hours," please contact the A&M International Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326. 2180.

Information can also be accessed via the University's Home Page at http://www.tamiu.edu.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu