International military students from more than 40 countries filled Nutter Field House with the displays and flavors of their individual countries for the 16th annual Know Your World event Friday.
The reception gave the military students the opportunity to showcase their countries to the Fort Leonard Wood community. Children were given mock passports to document each display they visited, and there were a variety of food samples to taste and informational displays to observe.
Capt. Djordje Petrovic, an international Engineer Career Course student and member of the Serbian army, said he wanted everyone to know more about his country's history, hospitality, nature, food and domestic products.
"The people (of Serbia) are amazing; they will host you and offer you anything they have. Also, the food is amazing. Anyone who goes there and tries the food will be amazed at how well it's been prepared," Petrovic said.
Tracy Reed, who is a student in one of the training courses at Fort Leonard Wood, attended to support his international-student friends.
"I have five international officers in my class who I came out to support. I also brought my wife and children to see the different cultures and have some food," Reed said.
Capt. Boateng` Bediako, Ghana army, said he wanted to share his country and culture with Fort Leonard Wood.
"(Ghana is) a beautiful and safe place; has beautiful people and good food. You can sleep without locking your doors. No one bothers you. The people are very artistic with language and clothing. Everything that you wear means something, and everything you do has meaning," Bediako said
Second Lt. Joshua Snow serves several of the international students as an instructor. He attended the reception to learn more about the students.
"I have international students in my BOLC class who invited me out and see what their country is all about. Also, it's a chance to learn about different cultures and to know about other armies I will come into contact with in my career," he said.
The International Military Student Office sponsors the International Military Student Friendship Program in which American Families can sponsor international students. The program gives host Families the opportunity to help students learn more about American life.
"We match people in the community to students in terms of things that he or she would like to do while they're here," said Amanda Koren, Field Studies Program manager.
Kay Lowder, Field Studies Program assistant, said sponsors can share activities with students that they enjoy.
To find out more information about the Student Friendship Program or to become a sponsor, contact Koren or Lowder at 573.563.0068 or 573.563.8015.
Social Sharing