The importance of being culturally educated as an MNSU student

Maria Ly
Staff Writer

Minnesota State University, Mankato is home to students from over 92 countries and over 1,300 international students. One of the things we’re known for is our cultural and ethnic diversity. 

Because of this, it’s important for we as students to be culturally aware and educated. This could be beneficial to many aspects of our futures when it comes to interacting with others from different countries and backgrounds as well as in our careers. 

MNSU provides many opportunities for students to learn, communicate, and collaborate with a vast array of different cultures. 

Student RSOs such as the Japanese Intercultural Association, Asian Students in America, African Student Association, Latinx Student Union, and dozens more are great ways to meet more students from different cultures. 

MNSU also has different classes students can take where students can learn about other cultures and their history, communication styles, and language. 

Last semester I took an intercultural communication class and learned so many things about how to effectively communicate interculturally as I learned things about my fellow classmates and myself. 

Through this class I was able to reflect on myself and things I’ve said that have been insensitive to other people with a different culture than me such as when I asked my international friend about their American accent. 

MNSU also has many cultural events on campus such as the cultural nights held by different student associations from different countries like Japan night, American Indian night, Saudi night, etc. 

If you’re going to attend any cultural event, a good event to get exposure to other cultures and learn about different countries is the International Festival held in the CSU every year. Last spring, I attended the International Festival and was able to try a lot of different foods and watch performances with many dances and songs from students from a variety of countries such as Nepal or Bangladesh. It was a great way to be immersed in not only one culture but many. 

As a student at MNSU it is important to immerse yourself and learn about others from different backgrounds whether that be from joining a cultural RSO, attending a culture night or taking classes – there are many opportunities for students to become culturally educated.

Header photo: