There are 67 countries, including the United States, represented by the faces of Troy University Students.

In celebration of International Education Week, the university’s International Student Cultural Organization is hosting its annual ISCO festival next Thursday, which features international cuisine and entertainment by Troy students.

“The students choose the menu and go to the kitchen to teach chefs how to prepare the traditional meals from their countries,” said Joe McCall, ISCO advisor.

Students will also share their culture through song and dance – including samples from Uzbekistan, China, Vietnam, Nepal and Sweden.

“Almost always, these kids are studying our culture, or experiencing our food. This is our opportunity for us to learn about them. This is the one day of the year the international students are front and center,” McCall said. “And these kids are talented.”

The ISCO Festival will be held on Nov. 8 in the Trojan Center Ballrooms and tickets are available in the International Student Services Office at 123 Pace Hall on Troy’s campus. Tickets are $10 for students and $17 for non-students.

The Troy Campus is home to almost 900 international students from 66 countries. In addition, Troy serves students in nine countries outside the United States and across every time zone in the world via its eTROY online portal.

“We are committed to being Alabama’s International University and ensuring that our students are well prepared to live and work in today’s global environment,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Troy University’s chancellor. “Observances like International Education Week help to provide understanding of different cultures, and with understanding comes appreciation.”

For more information, contact the ISCO office at (334) 670-5964.