Members of the Nkauj Hmong Mankato dance group performed for SMSU students and area community members during the International Gala on Friday night. SMSU students also performed contemporary and traditional music from around the world.

MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University students shared music, fashion, and dance from around the world on Friday night, as part of the annual International Gala.

“Everyone is pretty excited to see different cultures,” said Wesley Vue, one of the SMSU students helping to run the gala. This year, the event drew a good crowd – Vue said tickets sold out.

Friday night’s gala was the culmination of International Education Week celebrations at SMSU. International Education Week is a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, said Dr. May Lee Moua-Vue, director of the Center for International Education at SMSU. Moua-Vue said events in Marshall celebrated not only international students, but SMSU students studying abroad, and students and community members with international heritage.

“We want all our students to become global citizens, and become mindful of different perspectives,” Moua-Vue said.

All week, SMSU students and community members were invited to events to learn about different cultures around the world, and even enjoy international cuisine. On Friday, the gala included a meal, guest speakers, and students sharing special entertainment like music and dance performances.

Students from MSU-Mankato even collaborated with SMSU for the gala, said Wesley Vue. The Nkauj Hmong Mankato dance group performed a traditional dance at the event.

A lot of preparation went into the event, SMSU students said. SMSU student Bernyse Leach served as one of the two MCs for the gala.

Preparing for the gala was “a little bit of stress,” Leach said. “But I’ve been looking forward to this day for months.”

SMSU student Haben G, who was also sharing MC duties, said she was looking forward to her first International Gala. “It’s a new experience for me,” she said of speaking in front of the crowd. “It’s a nice way to get out of my comfort zone.”

Getting to see so many different cultures in one place was part of what made International Education Week and the International Gala fun, Leach said. “I feel like a lot of students come because they want to see different outfits, and try different foods,” she said.