A group of international and U.S. students at NDSU will showcase their cultural heritage by carrying flags from their home countries and wearing ethnic clothing during a parade through the Memorial Union. The group will be accompanied by a student playing a traditional instrument. The annual Parade of Nations is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, at 10 a.m. and will start on the main floor of the union near the bookstore. The parade also will serve as the kick-off event for Global Awareness Month at the university.

"NDSU has more than 1,000 international students, representing 75 countries," said Lisa Hauk, director of the Office of International programs. “The Parade of Nations reflects this diverse student population and celebrates the opening of Global Awareness Month with a visually stunning and colorful event.” 

The parade will end in the Memorial Union Plains room where the participants will introduce themselves and their country. Then President Dean L. Bresciani and representatives from Student Government and the International Student Association will give opening remarks. A reception with cake and coffee will follow.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Parade of Nations has traditionally signaled the beginning of International Week at NDSU. This year, International Week has expanded to an entire month – Global Awareness Month – as an acknowledgment of the importance of international and global perspectives and participation by NDSU students, faculty and staff.

For a complete list of events, visit ww.ndsu.edu/international/programming/global_awareness_month.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.