Homecoming from the Perspective of an International Student

Last week was Homecoming at Concord University. There was the parade and Lip Sync on October 13 and 14, 2016, which  sororities, fraternities and the band participated in. The International Students Club also joined in Homecoming festivities. I’m in the International Students Club (ISC) so I participated in Homecoming day with my ISC friends. It was my first time to participate in Homecoming day so I could not wait for it.

    We represented the 1990s using characters such as the  Powerpuff girls, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, MC Hammer, Spice Girls, Space Jam, Dana & Jane, Backstreet Boys, Ice cube, Clueless, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Steve Urkel and etc. It was very fabulous and interesting because most of us were born in the mid-to-late 1900s. 

    We prepared our own costumes for the parade and the Lip Sync competition. We also practiced dancing almost every single day since we created a dance routine. Memorizing the dances was a hard thing for some students, but ISC friends helped out each other very well. They taught each other and were so passionate. 

    October 13, 2016 was the parade. We wore our own costumes and got ready in the football center. There were judges grading out costume, and after that, we went on to parade around Athens. I was very surprised because there were a lot of people to see us. A lot of students, professors, and local families were there and they cheered us. We threw candies to them and said hello. From the student center to the Concord Methodist Church, there were a lot of people and it made me excited and made the parade even more enjoyable. It was also kind of culture shock. Because South Korea where I came from, they have parades only in amusement parks. But here at Concord University, normal students participated in a parade and they were loved by everyone.

    October 14, 2016 was Lip Sync. I really anticipated this day because all of the ISC students worked very hard on the Lip Sync and dancing. Aside from me, many ISC students said that they couldn’t wait for it. The Lip Sync competition was held at the gym in the Carter Center. There were lots of people; just like the parade, there were families and friends of the dancers.

    Other than the International Students Club, sororities and fraternities danced as well and we cheered them on. Their dances were all cool and amazing. For me, all of these things are so new and cool. In South Korea, of course we have a bunch of clubs in university but we do not have sororities or fraternities. Also, in South Korea, except for the dance club, other clubs don’t dance in front of people. So everything was refreshing and new to me.

    The way homecoming day was held is absolutely different as well. In South Korea, famous singers come and hold a concert, and lots of students make a bar and sell alcohol and others drink all night. Also a club DJ comes to school and we can dance just like we are in the club. But I like America’s Homecoming day much more. Here, we can celebrate the day by ourselves. We don’t need famous singers or a DJ. It seems like here in America a school’s  traditions are really important and it is very impressive. They can cooperate and make a great fellowship with clubs, families and professors. And the most impressive thing was that international students can do something in the school’s festival. For example, even though I am from other country, they gave me an opportunity to work on the parade and dancing competition. This helps people from everywhere understand each other and love America and Concord University even more.