The University of Houston-Victoria is extending an invitation to all students, faculty, staff and the community to take part in this yearƵs International Festival.

The UHV International Festival will be held on Friday, April 11 from 5-8:30 p.m. in Parking lot U, 3007. N. Ben Wilson St. The event is free and open to the public.

ƵWe are excited because we have an additional country that we havenƵt had before, which is Egypt,Ƶ said Ana Laura Pineda, UHV director of International Programs. ƵWe will also have more student performers this year, and I canƵt wait for our students to share their cultures and see them in their cultural attire.Ƶ

First held in 2016, this year will mark the 10th year that the International Festival will be held. Brought in part between the International Programs office and Student Involvement, the festival will feature booths representing the different countries that are represented at UHV, music and dance performances and a fashion show highlighting the cultural attire of different countries and cultures, as well as foods from around the world for attendees to try, Pineda said.

Some other highlights of the festival will include performances from MeliSamba, Jenni the Belly Dancer and performances by UHV students.

ƵThis year, we will have more student performers, and we are so excited,Ƶ Pineda said. ƵI hope the students have a good time, and I hope the community can learn how we are globalizing our Victoria community.Ƶ

Currently, UHV enrolls more than 180 international students from more than 40 countries, she said.

Jose Martinez, an international student from Mexico, said not only is he excited for what the festival will bring, but he is also excited to be a storyteller, working to connect people to other cultures.

ƵIƵm especially looking forward to sharing about my home country of Mexico with the students,Ƶ Martinez said. ƵAnd I will be speaking about the Day of the Dead, which is the topic of our booth for this year.Ƶ

Entering his sophomore year, Martinez is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in construction management. His journey began in his native country of Mexico and took root in Houston where he completed high school before becoming a Jaguar. For him, the United States represents more than just an education; itƵs a land of opportunities that heƵs grateful to explore, Martinez said. During his early years of being in the United States, Martinez said he knew UHV was going to be his choice school after a recommendation from a friend. After hearing about the campus culture, small class sizes and opportunities to make new connections, he was sold.

At UHV, not only is he a student, but he also serves as a student worker in the International Programs office working to assist with calls, emails, planning events on campus and helping to make appointments for students, a post he has held for nearly a year so far.

ƵOver time, I got to meet new students as well as international students,Ƶ Martinez said. ƵAnd now, I feel like UHV is my home.Ƶ

UHV will provide transportation from UHV Katy to UHV for the festival on Friday, April 11. At 1 p.m., a shuttle will depart UHV Katy to transport students, faculty and staff to Victoria. Later that evening, the shuttle will leave UHV at 9 p.m., returning to UHV Katy around 11 p.m.

For those looking to reserve a spot on the shuttle or for those interested in volunteering, please email festival@uhv.edu. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.