Gould’s International Culture Festival by Andy Moses ’26

Gould Academy’s International Culture Festival is a special event that is hosted by the Global Student Organization (GSO). During the festival, international students proudly share their country’s culture with the school community. Round tables are set up to represent each global student’s respective country in Clough Dining Room, and students simply walk up to them and interact with the table’s display—whether that be through food, games, or other visual traditions. As a result, students become more informed about other cultures and also have a ton of fun! 

In essence, the festival captures Gould’s core value of curiosity by promoting cultural exchange and understanding. Normally, in a classroom environment, international students do not have the chance to fully share their cultural and national identity, so the festival is an outlet for just that. The International Culture Festival provides the perfect opportunity for the entire community to come together and celebrate global students’ cultural identities and traditions!

There is something magical in seeing others light up when they share an integral part of their identity proudly.

To me, the festival is one of Gould’s most important events each year. There is something magical in seeing others light up when they share an integral part of their identity proudly. The most recent International Culture Festival in Spring 2025 was amazing. Every student laughed and smiled, seeing different countries and cultures. From delicious Ukrainian borscht to refreshing Japanese shaved ice, Gould students exchanged something even more powerful than delicious food: a deepened respect and understanding for each other's backgrounds.

Andy ’26 and Kasaki ’27 make Japanese shaved ice during the festival