More than 1,000 students arrive on campus each year, some even flying in from far, far away. In 1989, Michigan Technological University decided to highlight a large group of students that make large impacts on the campus and area. Through the parade of nations, the university has helped many students make connections, and engage early on, on campus.
Mongolia is one of them, Chad, countries that we kind of have to do our research on as we maybe aren’t as familiar with them but want to make them feel involved. And they’re just so happy to be involved in the parade too and see their flag. We have a ton of volunteers also within the university who will walk with individuals who may have one or two representatives from their home countries. – Christian Montesinos, Director, International Programs and Services at Michigan Technological University
Excitement for the parade starts before the previous school year ends. Parade of Nations co-chair Marinana Nakashima says the logo and essay contests for local students show the diversity of the copper country’s people and experiences.
I think as they research what they’re going to write in their essay and their student organizations at Michigan Tech, an experienced parade of nations, they realize as American students do how they can study abroad and things that interest them. So it connects them to a different view and opportunities that they might have not seen before coming to Michigan Tech. – Marinana Nakashima, Co-chair, Parade of Nations
Ahead of the parade in September, international student groups from campus begin planning menus for the multicultural festival. International programs and services director Christian Montesinos adds it’s truly a labor of love to organize each aspect of the day.
Multicultural festivals are probably one of the more popular aspects of the event. The food sells out all the time. As I said, it’s also a labor of love for the students because they spend so much time planning their menu, who’s going to help out, cooking, all of it. And it sells out every single year and they love it. They love the aspect of community where they can introduce not only food that is the comfort food that is very traditional to them but also this notion of service, of being able to offer and feed a community, I think is really important and goes hand in hand with why it’s so popular. – Christian Montesinos, Director, International Programs and Services at Michigan Technological University
Nakashima says two school districts in the area have already submitted logo designs, and she hopes to see more examples of games from around the world in 2025. The essay contest will award an incoming student from a nearby school district with a one thousand-dollar scholarship. Both contests will end on June 15th. Find more information about the logo contest here. Find details for the Essay scholarship program here.
