The Journal

Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Lifestyle

Media Credit: Laila Wessel Assistant professor and Coordinator of German Studies Paula Hanssen encourages students to test their worldly knowledge at the Culture Challenge sponsored by the Society of International Languages and Cultures Sept. 25 in the University Center Commons. Freshman Heath Adrian (right) tries his luck along with freshman Eric Lechowicz.

Do you know who the president of Russia is? Do you know what alcoholic beverage Spain is famous for? Do you know where the Basque country is? Can you match classical composers to their country? Students could find answers to these questions Sept. 25 at the Society for International Languages and Cultures booth in the University Center.

SILC offered suckers and Imo's pizza to passersby upon the completion of quizzes about different countries. The quizzes asked general knowledge questions about the countries' leaders, arts, food and exports. Quizzes were available on Spain, Russia, France, China, Thailand, Armenia and other countries.

The SILC booth was the club's contribution to Fallfest. The purpose of the questionnaires was to highlight SILC's mission: to draw attention to Webster's language programs and spread cultural consciousness locally, as well as to draw attention to the language tables. Any student who is enrolled in a foreign language course and wants additional help can use the language tables, which are run by teaching assistants.

"(The) Spanish and German students were the loyal ones," said Paula Hanssen, assistant professor and coordinator of German studies. Many foreign language majors and SILC members were unable to come to the table due to conflicts with class.

"(The SILC booth) was very useful," said Eric Lechowisz, a freshman media communications and screenwriting major. "I was hungry and now I have pizza."

Most of the visitors were drawn by the pizza. Some were familiar with SILC, and the free food was merely a plus.

Ian Fisher, a sophomore political science major and SILC co-president, worked the table, handing out quizzes, reviewing answers and chatting with people as they took them. Fisher wanted to inform students about the group and challenge them to think about more global concepts.

"We want to promote cultural consciousness locally," said Fisher.

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