It has been said that when classes at Mississippi State are in session, Starkville is the most diverse city in the state. For the 2025-26 school year, the enrollment includes students from 95 foreign nations, who are drawn to the university for its STEM and research-intensive fields.
Dispersed as they are among the student population of 23,563, the 965 international students don’t have a high profile most of the time.
The greatest exception to that is the annual International Fiesta, which was held Saturday for the 34th year. The event, co-sponsored by the Center for Student Activities and the World Neighbors Association of Starkville, seems to grow every year.
The International Fiesta provides the international students a chance to proudly share the culture, foods, dress and music of their native homes. Students spend a lot of time planning and putting together their exhibits, which is obvious in the quality of what visitors encounter.
Whatever benefits the students gain from this showcase are dwarfed by what they provide to the community. Over the course of a single day, locals get a glimpse of the world, including dozens of countries they are not likely to ever visit.
Americans, for the most part, have always been curious about the world, as expressed through the lines from an old Bing Crosby tune:
Far away places
With the strange soundin’ names
Far away over the sea
Those far away places
With the strange soundin’ names
Are callin’, callin’ me.
At a time when there are serious geopolitical tensions across the globe, the International Fiesta shows us that people of all faiths, nationalities, ethnicities and religions can not only coexist but enrich each other’s lives.
Better than any other nation on Earth, the United States simply thrives on that diversity.
Although some may be tempted by isolationism, the truth is we benefit from the contributions of all corners of the earth. How bland our world would be without such diversity.
The International Fiesta makes that point without any overt messaging. The sense of unity is sensory. From the spectacularly colorful Parade of Flags – with representation from all of the countries found in the MSU student population – to the aroma of each group’s native foods that drift across the Drill Field, to the music of African drums and other instruments sharing the music and dance of their people to the customary dress and cultural accoutrements of the nations, we see just how rich, varied and wonderful are the backgrounds of these students who have traveled far to study among us.
Attending the International Fiesta reminds us of the gifts of diversity and our fellow humanity. It is an experience to share with your children in a way they can understand.
While this year’s International Fiesta is behind us, we thank all of the students who shared a bit of their homes with us as we look forward to the 2027 event and all that it is sure to offer.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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