Illustrations by Ansley Lewis
International Student Services offers an opportunity to interact, play and have a Thanksgiving meal.
By Ana Victoria Cano
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
International Student Services is hosting a “Lucky Lunes Loteria” game from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at Koehler House. The event is part of International Education Week and the college’s Thanksgiving celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Winners of Loteria, a Mexican version of bingo, will receive prizes such as backpacks, pens and stress balls, said Martha Buchanan, coordinator of foreign students.
“Lucky Lunes Loteria” and the Thanksgiving celebration are open to all students.
“The whole thing about it is to make people aware not only of people coming into the country but the opportunity for people to study abroad,” Buchanan said.
The event also raises awareness about international students, Buchanan said.
“We encourage the integration of domestic with international students,” she said.
People from a variety of cultures attended the last Loteria, and organizers are expecting 90 students this year, Buchanan said.
The district is going to cater the Thanksgiving celebration. The traditional holiday menu will include green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, pumpkin pie and pecan pie.
Students must RSVP on the college’s International Education Week Facebook page to attend the celebration.
There are prizes — such as gift cards and T-shirts — just for showing up at the event.
People who played Loteria last year learned new words in Spanish, Buchanan said.
“It is a game from antiquity,” she said. “It has grown through the ages, and it is a game of chance. It has these wonderful iconic pictures; it is tied indirectly with learning another languages. Even if you don’t understand what the title says, you can see the picture and you can get it and you can play.”
Playing “Loteria” is a great opportunity to learn another culture, Buchanan said.
Students who attend can have a good time, a great meal, meet new people, come together and learn something in a nice environment, Buchanan said.
“There is Loteria, there is food, there is culture, there is an opportunity for fun, enjoyment, and if you are lucky, you get to win a prize,” Buchanan said.
For more information, go to the International Education Week Facebook page.
