By Kennedy Dendy | Broadcast Reporter
For Placentia, Calif., junior Alina Wong, Tuesday’s Neighbor Nights event allowed her to meet and get to know students from all over the world, even though she had to be persuaded to attend by a fellow classmate.
“I came out, because my friend from my Bible class actually kind of dragged me here,” Wong said. “I met some people from China, Atlanta and Chicago, so they’re from all over the place.”
Wong was born in New Jersey, but she grew up in China. She said her international experience is what makes her unique.
“I was born in America, but I grew up in China. Then I went to a boarding school in Taiwan,” Wong said. “I went to the boarding school, because there were not good American curriculum schools back in China. I went there, and it was American curriculum. It was similar to Baylor because it was a Christian school, so it was easy transitioning coming over.”
Wong said she views interactive nights like this one as an essential way to get to know students from backgrounds different than their own.
“I think it’s important because Waco is a very small town, so unless you actually put yourself out there you might not really get the opportunity to meet a lot of people from different cultures,” Wong said. “I think these kind of multicultural events are really great, because it brings all of the small ethnic groups together to share what they’re about.”
If you’re interested in joining the Spirituality and Public Life’s Good Neighbor Project and the Department of Multicultural Affairs, all students are invited every other Tuesday night for a free meal and cross-cultural conversation at the Bobo Spiritual Life Center.
