by Nash Alonto
Jan. 25, 2024
Issa Younes was serving traditional Palestinian food in a booth tucked in a little corner between the Indian and Chinese booths.
A crowd descended onto the table, where they try a variety of dishes, some may not have heard of. One of them is called Mujaddara, consisting of lentils, rice, and cumin, served with a side of yogourt.
The event also holds a special meaning to Younes as a Palestinian.
“Especially with what’s going in Palestine right now and in the last 75 years, me being…a fourth-generation refugee, this is the least I can do to present my heritage, and my culture, and my country,” he said.
Younes is a second-year Heritage Retrofit Carpentry student at Holland College. His booth is one of half a dozen that were set up during Holland College’s annual Embracing Cultural Diversity Week at the Prince of Wales cafeteria. He has lived on the Island for a little over a year. He said he had some of the best experiences of his life.
“The culture of P.E.I. is very welcoming and warm,” he said.
The fair is a chance for international students to share their culture to the college community, said Holland College International Recruiting & First Year Advisor Julia Clayton-Clark.
“Thirty per cent of our student population is international, so we would love taking the time to just allow our students to showcase where they come from and we can learn from them as well,” she said.
Some other events included Global Games Day and the International Student Showcase.
Clayton-Clark was also impressed by the dozens of students and other visitors who turned up to sample the food and socialize at every event that week.
“It’s so amazing. The participation from the side to people coming and checking out the booths, I’m so happy with how it turned out,” she said.
Meanwhile, Younes hopes to showcase more of his culture through food in future events.
“I cook a lot. This is something that brings me joy,” he said.
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