Diversity at EMU is not only something that can be seen, but also something that can be heard in different languages, felt through different traditions, and experienced through the many ways students share their cultures with one another on campus.
On Friday, Sept. 11, Ethiopian students celebrated their New Year at EMU. The celebration offered more than an opportunity to welcome the New Year. It was also a chance for students to share a tradition that connects them to their families, culture, history, and communities back home while inviting others at EMU to experience a part of their culture through food, dance, and celebration.
According to EMU’s fall 2025–26 enrollment data, students come from 38 states and 48 countries, with Ethiopian students representing the largest international student population on campus.
Students and faculty members shared what the Ethiopian New Year celebration meant to them and what it offered to the wider EMU community:
Skylar Stevens, a senior studying chemistry and secondary education, attended EMU’s Ethiopian New Year celebration for the first time during her sophomore year. Returning this year, she reflected on how her experience had changed. “My sophomore year, I was just going to go for the engagement point,” she said. This year, however, she felt more connected to the celebration. “Being more involved in the culture made it feel a lot more fun, like dancing around and stepping out of my comfort zone. I think the real difference is connecting with the culture as well.”
For Elena Middlebrook, a sophomore nursing major, the celebration was an opportunity to encounter something unfamiliar. She was especially interested in learning about the Ethiopian calendar and experiencing a culture different from the one she grew up with: “I think it was really cool because this is something that I never learned about before. It was really exciting because having a different calendar is not something that I’ve ever imagined in my own life. It’s interesting to see that in other cultures because I’m so used to what I’ve always grown up with, and I really like learning about the other things.” For Middlebrook, the celebration also showed how cultural events can encourage students to step outside their comfort zones. “I think that having events like these are really great ways to get out of that comfort zone, and I find a lot of joy in it.”
Gisele Kuate, a senior majoring in accounting and business administration, appreciated the opportunity to celebrate Ethiopian culture. Although she had experienced Ethiopian food before, she said having it as part of the celebration felt different.
Yael Getahun, a sophomore international student from Ethiopia and secretary of the International Student Organization (ISO), shared how having the celebration at EMU carried a deeper meaning for her: “It feels really good to be able to celebrate this in another country because this is not a common thing. People usually have the same New Year, and we’re the ones that have a different New Year. Back home, there’s no school. Everyone is celebrating. So here, even if it’s after class, it feels nice too, like a relief. I feel like it really helps with my college because it feels like I have people here to celebrate with me. It’s not just me away from my family; it’s everyone here. We’re all creating our own second family by doing this together.”
Dawit Woldemichael, a senior majoring in computer science and vice president of ISO, explained that the purpose of the event was also to bring Ethiopian culture to EMU. As he put it, “Besides bringing the culture to EMU, we wanted the culture at EMU to come to us too. We wanted this event to be for everybody, where everybody dances, everybody eats, everybody has fun.”
Elili Asefa, a graduating EMU student, highlighted how the celebration allowed students to experience Ethiopian culture beyond the international student community: “I really love our cultural food, so getting to eat that was always a pleasure, and the food was delicious. I’m happy that our school has an international student population, so it was nice to see people come together and enjoy the event. Even people who are not international students were participating. I am so grateful each year that ISO is able to do something like this for us, and it just allows other people to get a taste of culture from around the world!”
Divine Uwase, a first-year student at EMU pursuing a degree in biology, shared, “I feel like EMU having the Ethiopian New Year was important because it shows that EMU is willing to do anything to support its students.”
Atma Khalsa, a third-year student in EMU’s master’s counseling program who also works in Campus Life as an area coordinator and with Campus Activity Council, reflected on what makes EMU’s community meaningful to her. She highlighted the diversity of identities, countries, life experiences and perspectives represented on campus: “I think one thing that is really special about EMU, and something that I’ve appreciated, especially getting to witness the undergraduate communities, is that there really are a lot of diverse identities. There are lots of countries represented. There are students who are coming from so many different life experiences and educational backgrounds. So there’s a lot of room for students who are looking to further their education and do that with other people who have shared values, but also who value being in spaces with lots of diverse minds, perspectives and lived experiences.”
For Khalsa, cultural celebrations such as Ethiopian New Year are part of what makes those connections possible. She said she enjoys learning about students’ cultural customs and experiences and is reminded that students often carry stories and experiences that are not immediately visible in everyday interactions. “I won’t look at you and know everything you’ve experienced, but I know that you’ve experienced a lot,” Khalsa said. “And in the moments where we do get to share, I really love learning about each of our students and what they’ve been through, what they bring and where they’re hoping to go in their own lives.”
The Ethiopian New Year celebration showed how sharing culture can create opportunities for learning, connection and belonging. For some students, it was a chance to discover something new; for others, it was a way to feel closer to home and build community. Together, their experiences offered a glimpse of what it means to be part of an EMU community where different cultures, stories and traditions have a place.
Reference:
Eastern Mennonite University. (n.d.). Fact Book: Enrollment. EMU Fact Book: Enrollment
