Volunteers awarded for International Day success

Every semester, MU recognizes the student or students who have contributed the most to student life and charitable involvement through the MU Cares program. BBA students Maya Loacker and Lhamo Wangden received the "Student Volunteer Award" for their contributions to student and community life during the Spring 2012 semester.

They put in countless hours planning MU’s third annual International Day, which raised 1500 for charity. Taking on the gargantuan task of organizing MU’s biggest student event, they helped develop a concept for the event, planned activities and the show program, prepared briefings for other volunteers, did graphic design and so much more. Both students know a thing or two about different cultures: Lhamo is Tibetan and grew up in the USA, at MU on a spring exchange semester; Maya is Bolivian-Austrian and spent her formative years in Germany, Singapore, and Brazil. She is also active as a Student Ambassador, volunteering to talk to new and potential MU students.

[img_assist|nid=4341|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=150|height=259]Their International Day efforts were truly a success, helping coordinate 100 volunteers and 20 country tables for a crowd of around 300 attendees.. Ranging the gamut from Columbia to Russia, Romania to Syria, from Hungary, China, Palestine, the USA to…our student body showed off their traditional food, dress and facts (both Canada and Ukraine had none too easy quizzes) in a colourful celebration of diversity. By ballot vote, awards were given to the best among a truly stellar field. The lumberjack and polar bear from Canada won Best Costume, Best Food went to Croatia/Bosnia/Serbia for their selection of both sweet and salty delights, and the Most Beautiful Booth went to our contingent from China and Taiwan (think lanterns, dragons, and fantastic food!).

The event was topped off with a variety of performances - the MU Dance troupe led by Sandra Staniek performed a waltz, a cha cha and a jive; singer-songwriter and student Nikolaus Wendl played his own songs and the MU song he composed with last semester’s outstanding volunteer Simon Hala; and guest sponsors Capoeira sul da Bahia showed off their Brazilian martial art/dance.

As thanks for the students’ hard work in preparing an incredible feast for the eyes and the mouth, attendees were encouraged to donate to charity. With the help of CREATTE, the event raised 1500 euros for CULTURA YUCATAN, a music project to help needy Mexican children.

MU would like to thank sponsors Erste Bank, Vienna Tourism Board, Aragosta Restaurant, The Vienna Review, Kathrin Hanzl, Blaguss, Wombats Hostels, Feelslikehome, Capoeira Sul da Bahia, Tourismusschule MODUL, and MODUL Career, and especially Lhamo Wangden and Maya Loacker. We also wish Lhamo great success back in San Francisco, she will be missed!

Check out all the pictures from International Day on Facebook!

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Lhamo Wangden and Maya Loacker