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| Suzy at age 2 (far right), helping mom (center) and some friends cook Swedish meatballs in the Cosmo kitchen in 1976. |
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| Suzy at age 2 (far right), helping mom (center) and some friends cook Swedish meatballs in the Cosmo kitchen in 1976. |
Ever since I can remember, holidays at my house have always included gatherings of friends from all over the world. But I never knew where this family tradition began. Part of it comes from the fact that my family has moved many times. We lived in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Zimbabwe, eventually settling in Michigan. In each new place we lived, people showed amazing hospitality and took us into their homes to make us feel welcomed. We have always felt we should do the same to others who are in the USA far away from home. However, now I know that my family's tradition of international gatherings at holidays started even before we moved around the world. It started with my parents' involvement in the Cosmopolitan Club.
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| Suzy and her mom on a picnic with her host family in Bukitingi, Sumatra, May 1999. |
In the 1970's, my parents were graduate students at the U of I and active members in
the Cosmopolitan Club. I grew up hearing stories of my parents getting together with other
students and cooking Swedish meatballs, trifle, and groundnut stew. Now, as a graduate
student at U of I myself, I live in the Cosmopolitan Club house and have the chance to see
it for myself. I just came back from two years in Indonesia teaching English at Bung Hatta
University in Padang, Sumatra, as part of the Volunteers in Asia program. At the
Cosmopolitan Club I feel at home as I adjust to life back in the USA. On any day I can go
to the kitchen and learn how to cook sadze and groundnut stew, or hang out in the living
room and listen to Brazilian music, or have a midnight snack and talk about Swedish
children's programs. This is the place that instigated in my family the idea that there is
a world outside the USA. I feel lucky to live here and be a part of this community.
Continue to the next article.
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