CGE's Global Cafés Support Student Groups, Promote Cultural Diversity

FSU’s Center for Global Engagement co-hosts four Global Cafés each fall and spring semester on select Fridays from 11:30 a.m. until food runs out in The Globe Dining Room. Students, faculty, staff, and members of the Tallahassee community enjoy authentic international cuisine and music at this student-led fundraiser for just $10 per plate (cash or check only).

More than 200 people attended the last Global Café featuring China and met students from the Chinese American Student Organization. The community can look forward to two more Global Cafés this semester.

Maia Hass, vice president of POLSA and FSU senior studying marketing and international affairs, looks forward to sharing her culture with the FSU community and getting the word out about the organization.

"It seems that throughout my time at FSU I have met so many individuals who have a Polish babcia (grandmother) or have distant relatives who are Polish but are out of touch with that culture. I think that exposing them to our Polish traditions and our Polish food will bring a lot of people closer to our community at FSU," Hass said. "Even for people who aren’t of Polish descent, I know they are excited when they hear 'pierogi.' We are eager to expose everyone to our warm, comfort food. One dish that I feel will intrigue the community is our Sernik, which is the Polish version of cheesecake. Opposed to New York Cheesecake, Sernik is more crumbly and less sweet, which might come as a surprise. Overall, we are excited to give everyone a true taste of Polish culture, made by a bunch of Poles who are proud of our culture and home."

This student-centered program increases awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity on our campus and serves as a fundraiser for the student groups. RSOs interested in co-hosting a Global Café this spring may contact Laura Dean at lmdean@fsu.edu.

Attendance at this event also counts as an intercultural event for undergraduate students enrolled in the Global Citizenship Certificate and toward the Global Partner Certificate for faculty and staff.