Inside AUP’s World Fair
The moment I stepped into AUP’s World Fair, the smell of steam and spices drifted through the air, tables buzzed with energy and every few steps brought a new mix of laughter. For a moment, it didn’t feel like the campus I knew; it felt like bits and pieces of the whole world squeezed into one room.
With a paper “passport” in hand, I started my unofficial mission to collect stamps in the form of bites, sips and conversations. The passport itself wasn't just a cute detail. Each table stamped it when you tried their dishes and at the end of the night it was used to vote for the best table. It pushed everyone to wander and try new things. Each bite carried me to a different corner of the world without ever leaving campus.
The Significance of the Fair
Before diving into the food, it’s worth remembering why the World Fair holds such a central place in the AUP experience. With students from more than a hundred nationalities, the Fair shows exactly how many cultures and backgrounds shape the community. Each table becomes a small cultural embassy, offering a taste of home or a glimpse into a place students care about.
The Fair is closely tied to the First Year Success program, so first-year students take the lead in planning their tables. It gives them a hands-on way to work together and learn how to organize an event from start to finish.
The result is an evening filled with stories. Some students cooked family recipes that have been passed down, while others brought dishes from countries they have lived in or hope to visit one day. Together, they turn a single room into a global map.
Brazil's Table Emptied
One of the most memorable tables of the night was Brazil, represented by student Marie Storch. The table stayed calm and steady, but the food disappeared almost instantly. Marie’s group prepared two classic dishes. Brigadeiros are small chocolate treats covered in sprinkles, and Coxinhas are savory chicken croquettes shaped like teardrops.
“We got all-around positive reviews and people even came back for seconds. That is the best compliment,” Marie said as she watched another tray empty. Very quickly into the event, the Brazil team had run out of food completely, which showed how popular their dishes were. For Marie, the Fair was more than a food tasting. “It is a chance for AUP to celebrate our diversity and learn about each other through something universal, which is food,” she said. And based on how quickly their table was cleared out, it was easy to see that impact.
India Brought Comfort
A few steps away, the India table had a quieter setup with rice and a traditional dish made by the group. They faced some challenges because their ingredients arrived late, which made cooking harder, but they still brought a warm and welcoming presence to the event.
Madalyn Griswold, who helped represent India, said, “The idea behind the event is great, but I think with better organization it could be even stronger.” The group stayed positive through the evening and focused on sharing their comfort food.
A Global Buffet from Japan to Greece
Beyond any one table, the Fair felt like a global buffet where each dish told a different story. Greece had one of the busiest stations of the night, drawing long lines and buzz around the food.
Japan’s table also stood out, with neatly arranged plates and a steady stream of curious tasters. Walking from table to table felt like taking a culinary layover tour, with each stop adding another stamp to the paper passport handed out at the door.
Room for Growth
Some tables stayed packed all night, while others had a slower flow, but each one added something meaningful to the full picture. The event showed how much effort students put into sharing their cultures, but it also made it clear that a little more structure could help next year. Simple changes like balancing the space better and improving communication on how much food to make would have made the night run more smoothly. Even with these small issues, what stood out most was the students coming together to turn a simple room into something much bigger.
The Heart of the Fair
The World Fair shows what makes AUP stand out. Students are surrounded by different cultures every day, but the Fair turns that into something you can taste and experience. It gives everyone a chance to slow down, explore and learn from one another in a simple, welcoming way.
Marie’s point about celebrating diversity through food explains why it matters. Real connection happens when people share something personal. For many students far from home, the Fair is a reminder that their backgrounds are valued and that every culture has a place at AUP.
Final Boarding Call
By the end of the night, the paper passport handed out at the door felt full, even if it only held a few real stamps. The Fair had allowed everyone to travel without ever leaving campus. It was a reminder of how much culture and community shape AUP and how easy it is to connect when food is the guide.
After so many flavors, stories and quick trips from Greece to Japan to Mexico. The only thing left was the familiar feeling of global jet lag. And at AUP, that usually just means heading home for a well-earned nap.
