This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the local International Festival. The event celebrated cultural diversity through food, performances, and activities.
It was a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world and experience different cultures without leaving town. What made this year even more special was that I was involved not only as an attendee but also as a volunteer and sponsor of the event.
Today I want to talk a little about my experience and introduce some interesting vocabulary for English learners!
Vocabulary for English Learners
- Internationalization (noun): The process of increasing involvement or interaction between people or organizations from different countries.
- Example: Internationalization promotes understanding between different cultures.
- Volunteer (noun/verb): A person who offers their time and services for free; to give time or effort without being paid.
- Example: I volunteered to help set up the festival venue.
- Sponsor (noun/verb): A person or organization that supports an event or activity financially or through resources; to provide such support.
- Example: Thinking in English sponsored the festival this year.
- Diversity (noun): The inclusion of different types of people, ideas, or cultures.
- Example: The festival celebrated cultural diversity through food and music.
- Cuisine (noun): A style of cooking associated with a particular country or region.
- Example: I love exploring the variety of international cuisines at festivals.
- Roti Canai (noun): A type of Malaysian flatbread served with curry.
- Example: The Roti Canai from the Malaysian stall was delicious.
- Nasi Goreng (noun): Indonesian fried rice, often served with meat or vegetables.
- Example: I ordered Nasi Goreng with chicken satay.
- Satay (noun): A dish of skewered and grilled meat, often served with peanut sauce.
- Example: The chicken satay was perfectly grilled and flavourful.
- Kebab (noun): A dish of grilled meat, often served on skewers or wrapped in flatbread.
- Example: I enjoyed a Turkish kebab at the festival.
- Pho (noun): A Vietnamese soup made with broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat.
- Example: The Pho was fragrant and warming.
- Pandesal (noun): A soft, slightly sweet Filipino bread roll.
- Example: I grabbed some pandesal from the Filipino stall.
- Palate cleanser (noun): A food or drink used to refresh the taste buds between dishes.
- Example: I drank Chinese tea as a palate cleanser between meals.
- Community (noun): A group of people living in the same place or having shared interests.
- Example: The festival brought the local community together.
- Inclusion (noun): The practice of making all people feel welcomed and valued, regardless of differences.
- Example: Events like this promote inclusion and acceptance.
- Mutual understanding (noun): A shared knowledge and respect between people with different perspectives or backgrounds.
- Example: The festival fostered mutual understanding among attendees.
- Fragrant (adjective): Having a pleasant or strong smell.
- Example: The Pho had a fragrant broth full of spices.
- Aromatic (adjective): Having a strong, pleasant scent.
- Example: The Chinese tea was aromatic and refreshing.
- Roll up one’s sleeves (idiom): To prepare to work hard.
- Example: I rolled up my sleeves and helped with the setup.
- Refreshing (adjective): Making you feel cool, comfortable, or energized.
- Example: The tea was refreshing on a warm day.
- Unique (adjective): Being the only one of its kind; special or unusual.
- Example: The festival was a unique opportunity to explore different cultures.
Volunteering and Sponsorship
Earlier this year, Thinking in English proudly donated to the local international festival to support its mission of promoting education and international understanding. I strongly believe in the power of education and internationalization—bringing people from diverse backgrounds together can build understanding and respect.
So, when I had the chance to contribute to this event, I was eager to help.
On the Friday afternoon before the event, I rolled up my sleeves and joined the volunteers to set up the venue. From arranging stalls to organizing materials, it was a busy but rewarding day.
Seeing the community come together to prepare for the festival reminded me how events like these play an important role in building connections between cultures.
A Day of Food and Fun
Although I volunteered to help set things up, on Saturday I decided to take the day off to fully enjoy the event. The festival had something for everyone: performances, music, crafts, and most importantly for me—food from around the world!
I love trying new cuisines, so I made it my mission to sample as many dishes as possible. Here’s a quick look at what I ate:
- Malaysia: I couldn’t resist ordering Roti Canai, a flaky, crispy flatbread served with curry. It was rich, flavourful, and the perfect way to kick off the day.
- Indonesia: From this stall, I tried Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and chicken satay with peanut sauce. The satay was perfectly grilled, and the nutty sauce added a delicious touch.
- Turkey: I visited the Turkish stand for a kebab—juicy, seasoned meat wrapped in flatbread.
- Vietnam: I tried a steaming bowl of Pho, a fragrant noodle soup with fresh herbs and spices that warmed me from the inside out.
- China: To refresh myself, I ordered some Chinese tea—light, aromatic, and the perfect palate cleanser between meals.
- Philippines: I also grabbed some Filipino bread called pandesal, a slightly sweet roll that was soft and comforting.
A Celebration of Diversity
In addition to the food stalls, the festival featured traditional performances, music, and art from different countries.
It was heart-warming to see people of all ages enjoying the event—children learning about other cultures, locals chatting with international visitors, and everyone sharing stories and experiences.
Events like this remind us how valuable it is to connect with people from different cultures. They promote inclusion, respect, and mutual understanding, which are essential in today’s interconnected world.
Looking Forward to Future Involvement
The festival was an amazing experience, and I hope Thinking in English can play an even bigger role in future editions. I want my platform and business to actively support initiatives that align with my values of education and global awareness. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, I look forward to continuing my involvement.
And if you ever have the opportunity to attend an International Festival, I highly recommend it
Follow Me on Instagram
This blog post was inspired by a recent Instagram post on the Thinking in English account. Out of all social media platforms, I am most active on Instagram.
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