Locals go around the world

Locals hoping to taste Italian cuisine, take photos in kimonos or see a traditional dance from Bangladesh needed to travel no farther than Moscow on Saturday.

More than 700 "passports" were stamped at the University of Idaho's annual Cruise the World in a Day event where almost 30 countries were represented by international students.

Flags from around the world enclosed colorful booths that filled the Student Union Building ballroom, where hundreds of people learned about foreign languages, tasted exotic foods and listened to traditional music.

"There's really a lot to learn here," said Glen Kauffman, coordinator for International Enrichment programs at the UI. "The ballroom never sounds or smells or tastes better. The students put their heart and soul into it and make it a wonderful event."

Students acted as ambassadors for their countries and stamped visitors' passports when they came to their booths. Countries from around the world were represented from well-known ones like Canada to the lesser-known Isle of Man.

"Where is the Isle of Man?" was a common question for Isle of Man native Melissa Bell, who received quite a few visitors interested in the small country.

The Isle of Man is an island located in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland but it is not affiliated with the United Kingdom, Bell repeatedly explained.

"We're commonly known for our cats. They have no tails," Bell said.

With a population of only 84,000, the island is only 32 miles long and 14 miles wide and has no speed limits.

"It would take an hour, maximum, to drive north to south across the island, it's that little," Bell said.

The Isle of Man booth featured many maps, flags and their currency, which is equivalent to British currency but cannot be used in Britain, although British money can be spent on the Isle of Man. Bell also had flash cards to teach children the island's native Celtic language, Manx. The Isle of Man is one of only six nations in the world to still speak Celtic.

"It's an awesome place, I really miss it," Bell said.

Cruise the World, which has been held at the UI since 1998, is an important event for students and the community alike, Kauffman said.

"It's an important experience for international students to look around the ballroom and realize they're part of a larger culture," she said. "Their community is a significant part of what makes Moscow interesting."

Many Moscow community members from other countries also come out to support the students. Kauffman said she hears many exchange students say they feel welcome in Moscow.

"Students who have experienced post-secondary education in larger cities love coming to Moscow," she said. "It's friendly, easy to navigate and you can always find something to do."

Estelle Gwinn can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 301, or by email to egwinn@dnews.com.