Students cross cultures to build community

Though the UA campus is painted with many different colors, faiths and backgrounds, it may seem hard to connect with the rich variety of people that students pass on the Quad or in residence halls everyday.

The Crossroads Community Center works specifically to bring cultures of the University together and helps build a community.

"It's hard to feel connected in such a large campus," CCC director Beverly Hawk said. "You can feel alone even in a crowd."

Your Story, My Story is an event hosted by the CCC tonight that will help all types of students meet-up and swap stories to get to know one another by engaging in intercultural and interfaith conversations.

The event is modeled after a story-telling workshop designed by the Interfaith Youth Core, a national organization based in Chicago, Ill.

Ranita Sherif, a graduate assistant for the CCC, said the program was originally designed for Israeli and Palestinian people to help them relate to each other on a personal level, in hopes of solving conflict through understanding.

"[Open conversation] kind of humanizes faiths so we can work together for a common goal," Sherif said. "And in the process, you get to know someone for who they are, and not what you assume they are."

Stereotypes exist for all religions and cultures, Sherif said, and getting to know someone through open, honest conversation helps those stereotypes fade away.

Hawk said the event is not meant to be a theology lesson, an interfaith service or a preachy panel. It is an interactive experience in which students will pair up with other students for 30 minutes to talk and learn to appreciate each other's spiritual philosophies, whatever they may be.

"All faiths are welcome," Hawk said, "even atheists."

Faculty members and staff are also welcome to attend, Hawk said.

After watching a short introductory film, students will separate into pairs and talk with each other to learn a little bit about someone different from themselves. Fostering relationships with people of a variety of cultures is also beneficial in the business world, Hawk said.

Hawk said in today's working environment, a global workplace requires familiarity with all kinds of cultures, and the CCC wants to prepare today's students to be tomorrow's leaders. Companies will need to be represented all around the globe, she said.

Kristen Metzger, a senior majoring in restaurant hospitality management, said the event sounds interesting.

"I'd like to go," she said. "It's good to be open-minded."

"It sounds like a good idea," said Katie Couvillion, a senior majoring in international marketing, though she said she does not plan to attend.

The event will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in 301B Ferguson Center.

Hawk said there is no need for students to feel nervous or intimidated, and they should just bring their story and leave the politics and judgment at home.

Hawk said free refreshments, including coffee and cookies, will also be served at the event.