51±¾É«

Cultural Attaché Program

The Cultural Attaché Program helps connect international 51±¾É«ians with the local 51±¾É« community through its local schools and community venues in order to facilitate authentic cultural exchange. It invites international students to share things and topics they love from home while also allowing members of the 51±¾É« community to welcome international students into new environments. Cultural attachés have visited local spaces like school classrooms, the 51±¾É« Arts Center, and the Mayflower Community. These attachés have shared anything from food to music, politics to sports, and language to pop culture. In this work, the Cultural Attaché Program hopes to make the world a bit smaller, a bit smarter, and a bit kinder.

Any appropriate cultural topic is welcomed! If you are a 51±¾É« international student interested in becoming a cultural attaché, please fill out the form below. Please email OISA with any questions.

Cultural Attaché Testimonials

  • Aaryan stands in front of a seated crowd, looking up at a screen with a colorful powerpoint projected on it, with a map representing different Navaratri celebrations.

    The Lyceum Program, Mayflower Community

    Aaryan Lodaya ’27

    Southern India

    I presented about Golu, the South Indian festival that is celebrated during Navratri. Presenting at Mayflower for the Lyceum Program was a very heart-warming experience. The folks at Mayflower are curious and ask very insightful questions. They were also able to connect with Golu with their own personal experience, in a way bridging South India and the United States. I had a great time learning about some of the people at Mayflower and most of all, I was honored to have had the opportunity to witness the marvelous 60,000-piece world map puzzle in the sports room. 

  • Gabriela holds a pierog in her hand while standing at a table with various bowls full of food. Three students stand next to her and cut shapes in dough.

    51±¾É« High School

    Gabriela Roznawska ’26

    Poland

    As a cultural attaché, I had the pleasure to meet with 51±¾É« High School students and introduce a traditional Polish dish: pierogi. After a brief presentation on the importance of the dish for the hearts (and stomachs!) of all Poles, we moved to the most exciting part — making pierogi! With incredible speed and organization, guided by their teacher Amy Skouson, the students quickly picked up the preparation process — from rolling the dough and folding it into shape, to frying, and of course, eating them! I was really happy to share a piece of my culture and was truly impressed by the enthusiasm and genuine interest of the students. It was an honor to be so welcomed and given a chance to connect more closely with the 51±¾É« community.

  • Parikshit stands next to a large screen in front of a classroom of students sitting at desks

    51±¾É« Middle School

    Parikshit Roychowdhury ’26

    West Bengal, India

    I presented on India and a few South Asian calendars with Mr. Mient’s sixth grade social studies class. It was an amazing opportunity to both share and reflect on my home. The students were curious about the differences in calendars (like celebrating the New Year in April!) and I talked about the mythology and astronomy that helps shape why different calendars exist. I was asked some really interesting questions (about Indian food and even housing prices) and we ended the day imagining the possibilities of new calendars that we would all love!

  • Qianqian Wu introducing herself to the high school class

    51±¾É« High School

    Qianqian (Rosa) Wu ’25

    China, April 2022

    It’s my great pleasure and honor to engage in Mr. Robert Menner’s global studies course at 51±¾É« High School and present as a cultural representative to share something concrete about my culture with the local community. I presented on the inheritance and evolution of one aspect of Chinese lifestyle by comparing two living food cultures: traditional tea shops and bubble tea. One has thousand years of history and entrenched influence on Chinese traditions, while the other is a trendy drink among Gen Z. I am personally a boba tea enthusiast and I thought it’d be a great idea to introduce Chinese culture from this perspective, given the growing popularity of boba tea in the U.S. I really appreciate this opportunity offered by Robert and great help from Emily, and I was still impressed about how inspiring and informative the in-class Q&A session was!

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