Freed-Hardeman honors international students, first time in 20 years

Sarah Best, Jackson Sun
·3 min read

For the first time in two decades, Freed-Hardeman University celebrated its international student population with International Student Day on Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Henderson campus.

International students stand in front of the student body holding the flags of their home country during International Student Day in Loyd Auditorium at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Students representing 19 countries carried their home country flags into the auditorium and then introduced their countries.

Hundreds of students filled the university's Loyd Auditorium to celebrate their international peers and the unique culture they each bring to campus. The event commenced as the international students entered the auditorium, carrying their respective country's flags where they took their seats on stage.

Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Germany, France, Ghana, Haiti, Israel, and Iran were just several of the 19 total countries represented. Each student representing their country had the opportunity to stand at the podium and share a few facts about their country and its history with the audience.

Omer Shifris, who is from thirty minutes outside Tel Aviv in Israel, walks to the stage carrying the Israeli flag with Delfina Molina following behind him with the Argentinian flag during International Student Day in Loyd Auditorium at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Students representing 19 countries carried their home country flags into the auditorium and then introduced their countries. “It felt good,” Shifris said on speaking about Israel. “I’m the only one for Israel so to be the face of Israel here and share my values and culture with everyone.”

The fall 2022 semester enrollment was comprised of 2,283 students from 34 states and 25 countries, according to FHU enrollment records.

Vice President of Student Services TJ Kirk explained that the purpose of the event was to do more than allow the international students to "just feel welcomed."

"There's a difference between feeling welcomed and feeling at home," Kirk said. "What we want to do is get away from just tolerating and allowing, and it just be in a place to where people can be here, be different, have a different language, have a different cultural background, but feel at home and loved."

Omer Shifris, who is from thirty minutes outside Tel Aviv in Israel, speaks about his home country during International Student Day in Loyd Auditorium at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Students representing 19 countries carried their home country flags into the auditorium and then introduced their countries. “It felt good,” Shifris said on speaking about Israel. “I’m the only one for Israel so to be the face of Israel here and share my values and culture with everyone.”

Dr. James Dalton, Director of the M.S. in Counseling Programs and Graduate Certificates in Counseling at the university, was instrumental in creating a day specifically catered towards the inclusion of international students.

"Everybody should know they have a place," Dalton said.

Once the on-stage presentations concluded, those in attendance ventured to the cafeteria where they had the opportunity to indulge in an authentic dish from the countries of the international students.

International students stand in front of the student body holding the flags of their home country during International Student Day in Loyd Auditorium at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Students representing 19 countries carried their home country flags into the auditorium and then introduced their countries.

"What made it extra special is that the students were able to be a part of the creation of not only the menu, but the food itself," Kirk said.

The international students were provided the opportunity to taste test the trial runs of the dishes and give feedback on their accuracy, allowing other students to have the most authentic experience when trying their country's food.

The event would not have been possible without the establishment of the BRIDGES group, a space dedicated to the inclusion of other cultures, organizers say. The BRIDGES acronym stands for Belonging to the FHU Community, Reinforcing God’s love for all, Integrating an inclusive learning environment, Developing a kingdom culture, Growing together, Embracing diversity, and Strengthening our communities.

Students from Brazil speak about their country as one waves the Brazilian flag during International Student Day in Loyd Auditorium at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Students representing 19 countries carried their home country flags into the auditorium and then introduced their countries.
Students from Brazil speak about their country as one waves the Brazilian flag during International Student Day in Loyd Auditorium at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Students representing 19 countries carried their home country flags into the auditorium and then introduced their countries.

Kirk said the group stemmed from "the realization that those things are lacking here."

"For a long time, this has been very much a southern, conservative culture that has prevailed here," Kirk said. "And it's not that we don't like that, we do, but we want to be open and welcoming to others."

With plans to make the event an annual one moving forward, FHU set a new precedent for itself in the resurgence of representing its international student population.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: FHU hosted its first International Student Day in 20 years