International students joined together and created vivid displays of their native culture and heritage through the art of dancing and singing on Saturday.

Flags from different countries lined the University Ballroom to represent the many different cultures performing from all over the world during the “Sounds of the World” event.

Students and performers from different cultures and traditions filled the ballroom.

The Association of International Students have been involved in this event since 2009.

Every semester, international students on campus practice in groups or by themselves to prepare for performances such as “Sounds of the World.”

Samyukta Ghimire, an accounting major and the president of the Association of International Students, said she was really excited to see the changes happening in the program.

Before the performance, a few of the student participants talked about their excitement and expectations for the event.

“This is a very special event because I do not get to see all of the international students every day and it is a great way to get together and perform international music,” Ghimire said. “This is the first time the student performers will be singing for this event.”

Ghimire said she was really excited for the students to be able to perform what they have been practicing for a long time.

One of the participants sang a song from the popular Disney movie, “The Princess and the Frog.”

While Graduate Student Oindrila Paul performed a freestyle traditional dance from Nepal, India.

Paul said she performs a traditional Indian dance whenever there is a chance for her to perform a dance.

“I love doing this because it’s a really fun way to express myself,” Paul said.

Marilyn Holmes, a coordinator at the International Students and Scholars, said the performance was a good show of culture.

“We have many different organizations here,” Holmes said. “The African American Association, Asian-American Association and students from 50 different countries were represented.”

Games and raffle prizes were also offered to the audience.

Elizabeth Grubart can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]