Saint Mary’s students provide a taste of Saudi Arabia

WINONA, Minn. — International students add cultural — and culinary — variety to the experience at Saint Mary’s University. Saint Mary’s students Mohanned Naquib and Abdulsalam Alabbad perform during the “Taste of Saudi Arabia” campus event Oct. 18. Students at the SMU De La Salle Language Institute and the Center for International Students sponsored the event, which drew approximately 100 SMU community members. Arabic food, music, dancing and cultural displays were presented by SMU students from Saudi Arabia. The event was the inspiration of SMU’s international student body, wanting to support the rebuilding efforts of the Winona Islamic Center, which was recently destroyed by fire. Freewill donations from the event will contribute $700 to the rebuilding fund. Check out more photos at www.smumn.edu/photos.

Partnership brings Polish students to Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — A three-way partnership is allowing four Polish students to attend college in the United States. The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Winona campus is richer for their international presence and participation. The Wasie Foundation, the Gostomski Family Foundation and Saint Mary’s University join to offer full scholarships each year to qualified students of 100 percent Polish ancestry. And each year the college hosts a lunch to let the students get to know and thank their benefactors. Pictured are, from left: back, Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s; Mike Gostomski of the Gostomski Family Foundation; Jan Preble of the Wasie Foundation; and Ryan Gostomski of the Gostomski Family Foundation; front, SMU scholarship recipients Marcin Sak, Marzena Drozd, Katarzyna Plawiak and Marta Aleszewicz.

Saint Mary’s international students tour Winona via trolley

WINONA, Minn. — On Aug. 29, Saint Mary’s University’s newest international students were invited to take a tour of Winona on the Trester Trolley. For most of the students, who arrived in Minnesota last week, this is their first time in the United States. Highlights along the way included the Minnesota Equestrian Center, Garvin Heights Elk Ranch, Garvin Heights Vineyards, the Garvin Heights look-out, and Prairie Island Park. SMU’s new international students this semester come from Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Poland, China and Canada and include, from left: front, Musab Alotaibi (Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Hadi (Saudi Arabia), Hussain Alqushairi (Saudi Arabia), Kanae Agena (Japan), Mohanna Aloufi (Saudi Arabia), Jesus Benavides Hernandez (Colombia), Ilham Albalawi (Saudi Arabia); back, Jane Cyrus (staff), Brit Wagner (staff), Tiantian He (China), Mohammed Alharbi (Saudi Arabia), Hamad Alzahrani (Saudi Arabia), Mustafa Alnofaily (Saudi Arabia), Anas Almowallad (Saudi Arabia), Mohanned Naquib (Saudi Arabia), Bader Albalawi (Saudi Arabia), Lupita Garza-Cienfuegos (staff) and Zainab Alnemer (Saudi Arabia).