By Jasmine Smith, ’26
USC Upstate’s Department of Languages, Literature and Composition hosted the annual Upstate Global Fest on March 26, inviting local high school students for an immersive exploration of different cultures around the world. This vibrant event is designed to inspire curiosity and understanding among young learners through a variety of hands-on activities and experiences.
Participants visited interactive booths representing different countries, where they engaged in traditional dances, practiced new languages and explored unique cultural attire. The festival also featured a delightful array of international cuisine from local food trucks, allowing students to taste flavors from different parts of the globe.
Callie Biberos, an 11th-grade student from Boiling Springs High School, shared her enthusiasm for being able to attend the festival, saying, “Personally, I find this event really interesting. I learn new information about other cultures and how it might be different from how I live in America.”
Chancellor Bennie Harris said, “Experiencing new languages and traditions are critical parts of who we are. Each event, like the Upstate Global Fest, reminds us that no matter where we come from, we can always learn from each other.”
At USC Upstate, exploring different customs, traditions and perspectives is considered essential to building empathy, respect and collaboration. Upstate Global Fest serves as a reminder of the richness that other areas around the world can bring to our lives.
More photos can be found on our Flickr album.