NorthStar Visiting Scholars from 91心頭利 joined the weekly Rotary meeting this January to share why cultural exchange matters！especially now, when it’s easier than ever to learn about each other through screens, but harder than ever to truly know each other.

NorthStar Visiting Scholars Academy host university faculty from China to come to BSU to observe classes, engage in academic exchange, and experience cultural, social, historical and many aspects of Bemidji and Minnesota. By doing so, the academy creates a unique mutually beneficial experience for both the scholars as well as the university and its surrounding community.

The presentation opened with a martial arts demonstration that reminded attendees that some of the deepest forms of communication don’t need words.

Guests?sampled mini spring rolls while learning about Spring Festival and 羨敢 (Lichun)！the beginning of spring, that moment when even in the depths of winter, Chinese tradition acknowledges that warmth is returning and underneath all the snow, new life is beginning.

Then the scholars shared their stories.

GUO Jianfei told the group about a little boy from a local family who was initially cautious around her. She described the moment everything changed！when he finally put down his guard and started to play, because she was no longer a stranger. From this personal experience, she discusses “the danger of a single story”！how when people only know one narrative about a place or its people, they mistake a fragment for the whole truth.

YANG Anran shared that she had only known about Indigenous people through history textbooks and screens！until she found that the back seat of a local van became her best “classroom.” She was referring to Conifer Transit, the door-to-door van service provided free transportation by the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC). In those rides, through casual conversations with drivers and fellow passengers, she learned what no textbook could teach her.

Program coordinator Jo Li framed the event by sharing her own journey into cultural exchange work！from hosting an American exchange student in Nanjing at age fifteen, to now coordinating the NorthStar Visiting Scholars Academy and BSU’s education abroad programs. She recalled her grandmother’s words before she left China: “The world has changed so much. Go see it for yourself.” Born in 1928, her grandmother had seen America as both adversary and ally through different chapters of history, yet chose to encourage connection over fear.

“This is what cultural exchange really is,” Jo told the group. “Not grand gestures or formal presentations, but spring rolls passed around a table”, which HE Zhimin has

made that same morning for the Rotary visit. The event highlighted how genuine cross-cultural understanding happens through the everyday moments when people sit beside each other！in living rooms, at community gatherings, and yes, in the back seats of local transit vans.

The NorthStar Visiting Scholars Academy continues to foster these connections, replacing fear with understanding and single stories with fuller, more human ones. BSU’s International Program Center also offers many education abroad opportunities for students to go see the world while earning credits towards their degree programs.

The long-running event, organized by BSU’s International Student Organization (ISO), brought together students, scholars and community members for a vibrant celebration of global cultures through food, music, art and conversation.

More than 30 traditional dishes representing five continents were served and shared among attendees, each plate a reflection of home, heritage, and hospitality. For many, the festival was a chance to reconnect with familiar flavors or try something new！served up by the people who call those cultures their own. International students and visiting scholars spent weeks gathering ingredients, practicing performances, and perfecting their recipes.

Among those who contributed were six visiting scholars from Jishou University and Huaihua University in Hunan, China: He Zhimin, Shang Zhaokui, Tan Yi, Guo Jianfei, Feng Tao, and Li Wenjia. Together, they formed a culinary team led by Head Chef He Zhimin, who often cooks for students during field study trips in China. The team prepared a trio of traditional Chinese dishes: hand-shredded chicken, braised pork belly, and egg-wrapped pork rolls. The latter, HE shared, was a childhood favorite, reserved for special occasions. Now, he prepares it to bring back the tastes and memories of home. These dishes was some of the crowd favorites. Within moments of being set on the Asian exhibition table, they were surrounded by eager festival-goers and swiftly emptied.

In addition to food, the festival offered interactive exhibits including henna drawing, face painting, and traditional Chinese calligraphy bookmarks and lacquer fan crafts. These hands-on activities gave attendees a chance to experience the artistry behind many cultural traditions. The International Program Center also hosted a table at the event, showcasing the many education abroad opportunities available to BSU students and encouraging cross-cultural exploration beyond the classroom.

The entertainment lineup featured international music, dance, and live performances. ISO president Juliana Nixon and her group wowed the crowd with their high-energy dances. Fellow ISO officer Faith Adedeji performed with her band, ＾Just in Time,￣ delivering heartfelt vocals. The Chinese scholars showcased traditional Chinese flute and erhu (a two-stringed instrument), as well as a yoga inside flow, and a cosplay-style performance blending Chinese opera with a modern video game character. Each act was met with warm applause, reflecting the audience’s appreciation for the rich diversity on display.

＾The participation of our Chinese scholars not only added authentic flavors to the event but also helped strengthen cultural exchange and understanding,￣ Jo Li, Assistant Director of International Program Center shared. ＾Behind headlines of trade war and political conflict, there are people！warm, creative, and generous people！who share love through food and art.￣

The Festival of Nations continues to be one of Bemidji State¨s most cherished traditions, serving as a reminder that cultural exchange fosters connection, empathy, and friendship.

Juliana Nixon is a BSU international student from Nigeria, she is a third year studying Computer Information Systems and the President of International Student Organization (ISO). When she came to BSU, she came with memories and stories from her aunties, who have graduated BSU, about the Festival of Nations. This grand ISO celebration of different cultures brought the whole community out and together. She joined ISO under the leadership of then president Muhammad Hasnain, a graduate student in Environmental Studies in 2023, when the organization was just reactivated after being dormant for three years during the pandemic. They took time to rebuild the base and reconnect with campus partners. When Juliana took up the baton from Muhammad, she had the ambition to bringing back the beloved Festival of Nations for BSU and the community.

Fast forward to Spring 2024, ISO’s Festival of Nation’s planning committee was busy meeting and getting every details in place in preparation for the 50th Festival of Nation. With guidance from mentor Ashley Gomez, Interim Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Associate Campus Diversity Officer, ISO were sprinting forward with a huge undertaking of making and serving authentic food that represent the students’ culture, the taste of home and family tradition.

On April 12th, an early afternoon in Wally’s commercial kitchen, international students started chopping, marinating and preparing different ingredients for the big rush the next day, getting over 20 dishes ready for Festival of Nations. The next morning, the day of the event, students got up bright and early, and started at the kitchen by 8 o’clock. The spirit was high as they are passionate about sharing something they love. Some were calling home to ask for cooking advice, some were following a grandma’s recipe, and some were tag teaming with another student from the same region. At times, the kitchen was quiet as everyone is concentrating on their task in hand, other times, there were loud communication across the room as one shouts to another to turn down the heat or to flip the food. They all tried to stay calm and orderly, but they were also racing against the clock as the event would open its door at 4pm. The news about the return of the 50th Festival of Nation has already been sent out through local newspaper and radio; the stake was high and there was no room for mistake.

In the end, this team of amazing international students came through. When you walked into the door at 4pm, you would have no idea of the busy rush less than an hour ago. Attendees could pick up a passport, collect stamps of nation flags, enter a raffle ticket for lucky drawing and go through the line of amazing food from around the world, brought to you by the students that came to BSU from around the world. Total of thirty six food and beverages from East Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and the Americas were served.

You may have heard the story afterwards from of the event; the 50th Festival of Nations was an event full of smiles, laughers, music, lovely conversations and full bellies! DJ Micah was in the house, keeping up a global groove. Violinist and a graduate student in Music Education, Julia Anderson played some lovely Irish fiddles for the audience. Turns out Juliana Nixon is also a great singer, her sang with the band “Just in Time” with singer Maggie Kienetz , Faith Adedeji on the keyboard, Sam Kienetz on the guitar and Jonny Fraser on the drum. They performed song after song as attendees celebrated well into the night. Psychology professor John Gonzales as seen in the photo below shared a sweet story of how he and his wife originally met at the then “Feast of Nations” twenty years ago.?

Countries have borders, the world seems divided when you tune into the news these days, but BSU’s Festival of Nations brought people together as we celebrated diversity in culture and bridged our differences over a community meal.

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What is an exchange program?

Exchange programs vary and can include domestic or international opportunities which allow students to study away. Some exchange programs are even offered virtually, allowing the student to have a global experience from their home.

What exchange programs does BSU have?

BSU currently has three international exchange programs with in Aalborg, Denmark; Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (h2) in Magdeburg, Germany; and University of Teacher Education (PHZ) in Lucerne, Switzerland. For more information about these programs, please join us for live webinars over the next four weeks. Details are listed below. Return to this page after the live event for links to the recordings.

Weekly Webinars:

The webinars below will be recorded and made available here. Webinars will be structured to allow each institution (BSU and partner institution) time to talk about their programs. Courses are offered in English at these European partner institutions.

• Wednesday, February 15^th?at 9am (CST) learn about our exchange program at in Aalborg, Denmark. While all are invited to attend this informational session, programs at AAU are best suited for students interested in Communication Studies, Economics, English, History, Philosophy, and Political Science.
  • Zoom link:?
  • Passcode: AAUBSU
  • Webinar Recording:

• Wednesday, February 22^nd?at 9am (CST)?learn more about our exchange program at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (h2) in Magdeburg, Germany. While all are invited to attend this informational session, programs at h2 are best suited for students interested in Technology, Art, Design – Technology or Environmental Science.
  • Zoom link:?
  • Passcode: H2BSU
  • Webinar ID: 951 4336 9467

• Thursday, March 2^nd?at 10am (CST)?learn about our exchange program at University of Teacher Education (PHZ) in Lucerne, Switzerland. While all are invited to attend this informational session, the program at PHZ is best suited for students interested in Education.
  • Zoom link:?
  • Passcode: PHZBSU
  • Webinar ID: 962 5918 9159

If you have any questions, please contact Interim Director of the International Program Center Danielle (Danielle.smith@bemidjistate.edu)(218-755-4096)

Click on this 360 view of his exhibit in the Talley Galley to take a virtual tour!

Printmaking Work Collection

Photography Work Collection

Artist Bio:

Xiaoming (Sean) Huang is currently a visiting scholar at Bemidji State. He has seven years of experience teaching in Principles of Interior Design, Drawing and Perspective, 3D?Design Software, Design Interior Color and Lighting, Application of Traditional Chinese Architectural Concepts in Nanning, China. A designer and an educator at heart, he earned his bachelor¨s degree in environmental art design from Guangxi Normal University. He received his master¨s degree in Design with an emphasis in Southwestern Ethnical Architectural and Landscape Design.

Sean and TADD faculty Mitch Blessing will be offering a brand new course summer 2020 TADD 2930 Summer Design Workshop. It is open to all, and will be held online from July 6th- 31st. Register in e-services.

Sean also made documenting his move out of the Glas Scholar House due to COVID-19 isolation housing project.

If you are interested to see more of his work, please check out his Instagram ?

Graduate study at Bemidji State offers students the opportunity to achieve an advanced state of knowledge based on the philosophy, history, theory and methodology of a discipline. The ability to conduct research and to present results to other scholars and the community are among the professional skills obtained through the program.

Contact

• Patty Hartshorn, student and administrative support specialist, patty.hartshorn@bemidjistate.edu

Links

• 91心頭利 School of Graduate Studies

91心頭利, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university¨s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

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