Abisola Mohammed, a graduate student in emerging media and technology, stood before her audience and asked this simple question: “How far?”
To many people, this might be a confusing question taken out of context, but in Nigerian culture, it is a greeting.
“I’m going to say, ‘How far?’ and then you guys will respond with ‘I dey,’” Mohammed said to the assembled crowd of students on the second floor of the Kent Student Center.
In Nigerian culture, Mohammed explained, “How far?” is a way of asking how someone is, and “I dey” is a response that can mean “I am fine.”
Once a month, Kent State University’s International Student and Scholar Services presents the Cultural Cafe through Global Education, a part of the College of Honors and Global Education. An international student gives a short presentation on their culture, and samples of traditional food are provided. Events like this help cultivate a space for students to share their heritage and connect with other cultures on campus, demonstrating the university’s commitment to a safe, welcoming global community.
Jordyne Ash, a first-year business major, and Jasmine Williams, a senior journalism major, were among the students who attended the event.
Ash, who plans to participate in education abroad in the future, told Kent State Today that she came to “just have a fun time and learn something new about a culture.”
“I want to learn as many facts as possible,” Williams said. “I was studying abroad last semester, and I loved it, so learning about different cultures is always a good thing.”
On Sept. 16, Mohammed was the first guest speaker of the semester. As she spoke, the smells of traditional Nigerian foods wafted around the open space of the Kent Student Center, Room 218.
Mohammed shared that Nigeria has more than 300 different tribes, and more than 500 languages are spoken there. Mohammed speaks only one of those languages.
“We have a fashion of English,” Mohammed said. “It’s like an abridged English. We call it ‘Pidgin English.’”
Mohammed’s presentation featured many videos showcasing music, dances and traditional clothing in Nigerian culture.
Event culture is a major part of life in Nigeria.
“Every place we’re at, we try to have fun,” Mohammed said.
She showed clips from different festivals and weddings, with many people dancing and celebrating dressed in colorful clothing.
After the Q&A session, attendees were invited to try traditional Nigerian foods. University Culinary Services provided chicken gizdodo, a dish that includes chicken gizzards and plantains, and puff puff, a dessert made of deep-fried dough.
Dakota Varney, senior international student and scholar services advisor, shared why Cultural Cafe events are so important.
“We have a lot of students who come from several different places around the world,” Varney said. “It gives them an opportunity to show the community their culture, some of the cuisine, get to know the country that they come from, and helps them also engage in the community and bring everyone together.”
Global Education is currently scheduling Cultural Cafes. If you are interested in showcasing your culture, contact International Student and Scholar Services at isss@kent.edu.
Learn more about Global Education events and international student resources.
