Friendly conversations and the aroma of rice dishes and pastries filled the night at California Baptist University on Wednesday, Oct. 22, as students gathered for this month’s Culture Café, hosted by International Student Services.
The event, which takes place once a month, celebrates a different region of the world each time. This month highlighted Central Asia’s tastes and traditions.
Students sampled authentic dishes prepared by international students, including katmer (a flaky Turkish pastry filled with pistachios and cream), blinchiki (thin Russian-style pancakes), and plov (a traditional rice and meat dish popular across Central Asia).
For Sirui Wang, senior biochemistry and molecular biology major, the event was more than a cultural showcase. It was also part of her role as a traditional intern for the International Center.
“I think this is a great opportunity for students to get to know a little bit about other cultures they might never experience otherwise,” Wang said. “For international students, it can bring a little feeling of home, a taste of home and let them know we are here to celebrate their culture.”
Wang added that the event was meaningful for the wider campus too.
“For domestic students, it is a great opportunity to get to know international students and their backgrounds,” Wang said. “Even for internationals who aren’t from the featured region, it is still a chance to learn something new.”
For many, the Culture Café has become a space for connection and curiosity, where cultural exchange happened through shared meals and conversation.
For Ethan Yepez, sophomore construction management major, attending was as simple as saying yes to a friend’s invitation.
“My international friend told me to come,” Yepez said with a laugh. “It helps encourage different cultures and ideologies.”
Yepez said his favorite part was “being able to meet and talk to a bunch of people.” His experience reflected the event’s purpose of building community through hospitality and shared experiences.
One of the featured student cooks, senior illustration and graphic design double major Alexandra Atkinson, prepared katmer for the evening. For her, the event held personal significance.
“I grew up in Central Asia, so did my roommate,” Atkinson said. “This is the type of food I grew up eating. Being able to have it here and share it with others is just awesome.”
Atkinson emphasized the emotional connection that comes from these gatherings.
“After a while, you kind of miss home,” Atkinson said. “No one really understands you sometimes and these events bring you together. They remind you where you are from.”
She also saw it as meaningful for American students.
“For Americans, this is exposure to new cultures. CBU is so diverse, why not celebrate it?” Atkinson said. “I love the camaraderie. Everyone is so welcoming and kind, and it is just awesome to talk to people about where they are from.”
Behind the scenes, Jillian Jarbo, international student advisor, helps coordinate each month’s event.
“I help oversee Culture Café,” Jarbo said. “It is a really special event because it allows international students to bring their culture and background to the table, literally. They share their food and decorations, not just with other international students but also with domestic students who may not have had the chance to travel abroad.”
For Jarbo, who is new to her role, seeing students connect face-to-face makes the work meaningful.
“I love these events because I get to get away from the desk and I actually get to know international students at these events that I have not gotten to meet yet.” Jarbo added, “I’m also new to my position, so I get to put names to something I’ve seen in emails, like, actually, people of me. Because that’s why I took the job.”
As the evening came to a close, students lingered, chatting over their last bites of katmer and plov and smiling for group photos. The Culture Café continues to serve as more than a food event. It is a monthly reminder of CBU’s global community, where every culture is honored and every shared meal brings students closer together.
