28th Annual International Food Night to be Held at Otero College on Nov. 9

The world has truly arrived at Otero College this year. 75 students from 35 countries have enrolled at Otero College for the fall semester. The details of the stories that bring them to the Arkansas Valley are as varied as the nations they have arrived from, but they all have one thing in common; Otero College is the next chapter of their educational journey. 

International students at Otero College are enrolled in nursing, construction, cosmetology, associate degree seeking and medical lab technician programs.  They are teammates on the soccer, basketball, wrestling, rodeo, volleyball, baseball, golf, and rodeo teams. International students live both on and off campus, but one thing is clear; they have an impact on our community while living and learning with us.

Otero College President, Dr. Kimberly Zant, said, “I have had an opportunity to interact with many of the international students since school started last month.  Whether they joined us to march in our communities’ parades, gave a presentation at a Lunch and Learn in the learning commons or visited with me about their exchange program in my office, I appreciate the experiences and perspectives they bring to Otero. It is a gift to everyone on our campus to have the richness of so many international students in our community.”

Otero College invites everyone to come and celebrate our international students on Nov. 9 at our 28th annual International Foods Night. The yearly tradition of flags, fun, and festivities to showcase our international students is once again coming to the Rizzuto Banquet Room. Tables and tickets are on sale now and can best be purchased through the website at https://otero.edu/campus-community/events-registration/international-food-night/ . Single tickets are $45 each and tables for eight are available for $320 – no cost increases this year.  Tickets include nine courses of internationally themed food – this year’s menu will feature bruschetta, potstickers, empanadas, elote, baklava and more. The on-campus team at Sodexo pulls out all the stops to make this a delicious and beautiful meal. Internationally themed and locally donated beer and wine are served for tips to support the programs and scholarships of the international program at Otero College. 

Students will be entertaining the audience with their talents from their home countries. Otero students from Germany and Russia are already honing their talents. Also, an exciting addition this year will be Mariachi Lobos for singing and dancing at the conclusion of the live auction at the end of the evening. Jace Honey is confirmed as the event’s auctioneer again this year.

“It is so impressive to me how the community rallies around this event. Thanks to a generous sponsorship, we have Lobos Mariachi coming to keep the fun going.  Returning students are looking forward to the event and we look forward to showing the new students how we celebrate. My favorite part is watching their faces when the live auction starts. The world truly comes to Otero,” said Maureen Rikhof, Director of International Relations.

Everyone in the community is invited to join. Reservations can be made online at the link above or you can contact the international office directly to make arrangements for your tickets. Otero-international@otero.edu or (719) 384-6805. If you would like to donate items for the auction or be an event sponsor, the international program would benefit from that as well.

“I’m looking forward to experiencing the tradition of International Food Night and sincerely hope that many community members will join me in this celebration. I anticipate a fun evening and look forward to seeing folks on Nov. 9,” encourages Dr. Kimberly Zant. For questions about International Food Night, or any aspect of the International Relations Organization, please contact Maureen Rikhof at Maureen.Rikhof@otero.edu.