World Café–a gathering of friends from all over the world that meet weekly.
This event is hosted every Friday night by Campus House, an actual house located next to ETSU’s campus.
Students from Germany, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Tennessee and many other places come and gather from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Daniel and Rachelle Curtis are ministers to international students and help organize World Café every week.
“It’s a good way for students to unwind after the week,” Daniel Curtis said. “Students are free to come and go as they please. If you show up at eight, you don’t have to stay the whole time.”
Entering the house, I was immediately greeted and given a name tag. I could hear the buzz of conversation filling the building as soon as I walked in the door.
I entered a large, comfortable room where several students were drinking warm, homemade chai, socializing and playing games. Campus House provides a large selection of games to choose from, most of which are board or card games that encourage interaction with others. Many of the games I participated in were new to me but easy to pick up.
International Pakistani student Ali Memon, a senior electronic technician student at ETSU, has been going to World Café for almost two years.
“For me it was a really easy way to meet friends,” Memon said. “The classes at ETSU are really big, so it’s nice to be in a smaller setting and get to know people.”
Memon also likes how there are so many cultures and countries represented at World Café.
Memon was just one of many friendly students I approached. Everyone was personable and eager to get to know me as well.
World Café is not just for international students but is something for the community as well. All are welcome to come and participate.
As Daniel Curtis said, “It has become a ministry for all people.”
Local churches have gotten involved by providing snacks for the ministry or sending groups to interact with some of the students.
Anyone is invited to come out and try the World Café–Milligan students included.
Campus House also hosts other events throughout the week, including free lunch on Tuesday afternoons at 1 and worship nights on Wednesdays at 7.
For more information about World Café and Campus House, go to http://www.campushouse.org.