International Café Hour celebrates its 50th evening of culture, cuisine, and connection
The event has grown into a tradition of global storytelling and cultural exchange.
What began as a modest gathering in a campus community room has blossomed into one of Virginia Tech’s most vibrant celebrations of global culture. This spring, Student Affairs’ International Café Hour marked its 50th event, a milestone in nearly a decade of shared conversation, flavors, and traditions from around the world.
Hosted monthly at Deet’s Place in Dietrick Hall and co-sponsored by Cranwell International Center and Dining Services, International Café Hour invites student organizations to showcase their heritage through food, arts, and shared perspectives. The first event in 2016 grew into a campus tradition that draws hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and community members.
A recipe for belonging
“This was an opportunity that was really needed,” said Fawna Zwart, assistant director at Cranwell and the program’s founder. “At our very first event with the Caribbean Student Organization, we had a line out the door.”
Seeing the enthusiasm. Zwart asked students how Cranwell could support them to make such celebrations closer to their experiences at home. The keys to cultivating more authentic engagement became clear: music and food.
Each event is hosted by a different registered student organization, overseen by the Council of International Student Organizations. Groups are encouraged to design the event in their own styles, from decorations and presentations to family recipes and favorite dances. Zwart, who coaches each group through the planning process, said the goal is to create a space where students feel proud to share their culture and where others feel welcome to celebrate it.
Culture on the menu
The 50th International Café Hour, hosted by the Taiwanese Student Association, coincided with Lunar New Year and featured traditional dishes of braised pork with rice, sweet potato balls, and boba tea. Attendees tried their hands at calligraphy, writing spring blessings on vibrant red paper with ink brushes.
“It brought much more engagement than our previous events,” said Steven Chen, a Taiwanese Student Association officer who helped organize the celebration. “We were able to share our culture in a way that really connected with people.”
That connection is the heart of the program. Since 2016, the event has featured everything from street foods to spoken word poetry. At a recent Sri Lankan Student Association’s event, guests sipped Ceylon tea, played traditional games, and tested their knowledge in a cultural quiz.
“It allowed us to introduce our organization to a broader audience, connect with students interested in Sri Lankan culture, and even gain new members,” said Akila Herath, Sri Lankan Student Association president. He said engagement at the event and afterward through social media was exciting. “Café Hour helped us build community while celebrating our heritage.”
A celebration for everyone
Behind the scenes, Dining Services helps bring each culture’s cuisine to life. Student organizers submit recipes, and chefs work to source authentic ingredients — special cuts of meat, rare spices, or regional produce — whenever possible. Students often get a first taste before the event begins.
“They’ll try a dish and close their eyes and say, ‘This tastes like home,’” Zwart said. “That moment of recognition is so powerful.”
The program’s reach extends beyond the Blacksburg campus. Local residents, school groups, and curious visitors often attend, turning Café Hour into a bridge between Virginia Tech and the wider community. Some events have drawn nearly 400 participants.
Zwart said the program has also helped students find a sense of belonging. “One student told me that hosting a Café Hour helped them feel they had ownership on campus — that we were all celebrating with them, and they weren’t alone.”
As the program looks ahead, demand is growing. Student groups are already applying to host next year’s events, and Zwart continues to prioritize first-time participants. “These are important connections we’re making,” she said. “We’re helping students find people who will support and celebrate with them.”
