School of Mines to host annual Cultural Expo

RAPID CITY, S.D. — This weekend, the School of Mines will host the annual Cultural Expo – a chance to learn more about different cultures around the world.

South Dakota Mines is preparing for the annual Cultural Expo, a popular event that highlights different cultures brought to Mines by international students.

The event has a long history at the university, organizers learned from a yearbook that the first expo at Mines was held in 1963.

“We had a large group of international students here at that time, and they wanted to do something to celebrate their home cultures, and so they all got together and cooked food and basically did the same things that we’re doing on Saturday,” said Suzi Aadland, Specialist at Ivanhoe International Center, School of Mines.

On Thursday, hundreds of K-12 students were invited for the student version of the expo and participated in educational activities, crafts and storytelling.

“I think it was fun and cool and very interesting,” said Micah, from Bethesda Lutheran School.

“In lots of places, there are really cool valleys and mountains, and there’s different cultures and festivals and foods,” added Kaydence, also from Bethesda Lutheran School.

The public is invited to attend the cultural expo on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Beck Ballroom in the Surbeck Center.

This year’s expo will bring unique perspectives from nine countries and dozens of international students. Students will bring their traditions and lifestyles, food, traditional music, events, dancing, and much more to the event.

“A lot of a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to travel around the world, but they want to learn about the world,” Aadland said. “And so this is a great place to come to the world in your backyard. And so come to the School of Mines, and you can learn about other cultures. You can see some of the things that they have. It’s just a great opportunity to learn a little bit, just a little bit about another culture.”

Doors will be open until 2 p.m. but Aadland said up to 600 people attend so it may be a good idea to arrive early to get seated to view the entertainment and enjoy the ethnic food sampling.

Jerry Steinley has lived in the Black Hills most of his life and calls Rapid City home. He received a degree in Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Metropolitan State University in Denver in 1994.