The University of Wyoming is home to more than 800 international students from around 94 different countries. Around 50 of these students come from the small Southeast Asian country of Nepal.
To form a community within these students the Friends of Nepal at the University of Wyoming was established in January of 2008. They have since then continued to share their cultures and festivities with the university community.
“We started this organization as a way for all us Nepalis to find a home away from home,” Akriti Subedi, president of FNUW, said. “We come together in times of celebration and share our ways and traditions with all the students and community members here at UW.”
Their members range from students in undergraduate to graduate and Ph.D. programs. Over the course of the academic year, they host two main events. Their Dashain event, which is one of the biggest festivals in Nepal, is celebrated during the month of October.
“Dashain is a really big festival in Nepal, where all families come together to celebrate their togetherness,” said Subedi. “People from far and near come to sing, dance and eat delicacies. This is one time of the year when all families meet. So, to make sure our students don’t feel homesick we do a small celebration here on campus. It also gives our fellow students a chance to observe what kinds of traditions we follow.”
Their Dashain festival takes place in the form of a potluck, which is open to all. People from the organization and people outside of it come equally, to celebrate this occasion.
Another big event for them in their New Year. Nepal follows the calendar Bikram Sambat, which is currently in the year 2074. Their New Year’s Day, which will commence the year 2075 will take place on April 15, 2018. They are planning, a big event for celebrating the auspicious day.
“This is our biggest event of the year,” Subedi said. “We start off the evening with a cultural show which allows our audience an inside look into our nation. Then we give the community a taste of Nepal with a buffet dinner, catered by an authentic Nepali restaurant.”
Suyasha Pradhananga, public relations officer for FNUW, said,” We host about 400 people which is a combination of students, faculty members and community members. We end the night with a small dance party to show them some typical dance moves from our country.”
Along with these events they also are active members of the UW community. They take part, as a group in many different events and workshop.
“Our main goal here be a part of the wonderful community at UW, we want to create a safe haven for our Nepali students along with a medium to share our culture,” Subedi said. “As international students, we feel that it is our responsibility to bring diversity here at the university and we are glad to be contributors to the student body.”
Along with their diversification, they also promote UW to new incoming students, encouraging them to become a member of the student body here.
“I think UW is a wonderful campus and it is very affordable,” Pradhananga said. “We also facilitate our incoming students with whatever help they might need.”
Subedi said, “I hope all of UW students and faculty will come join us in our New Year’s event and be a part of our celebrations.”
