By Laura Jean Null
Staff Writer

Have you ever been curious about how dating works internationally? Last Wed. April 5, Resident Director of Minsi Hall and the coordinator of global living and learning community Derek Hess, hosted Global Week’s International Dating practices.

The event included the Jewish Student Organization, Muslim Student Association and international students from China.
The purpose of the event, “to enlighten our students concerning international and religious practices.” said Derek Hess. Hess later went on describing his goal for the program, saying, “I want students to become more interested in the subject matter and look things up for themselves.”

The six students were sitting at a table aligned in the front of Stroud 113. The speakers facing a full audience gave a calming atmosphere opened up for discussion.
An audience member asked the speakers a question if there is a conflict about parent’s inputs when it comes to falling in love. Each speaker had their own way of describing their stance on that topic.

International Chines student, Mengchen Wang described how sometimes people get married in a hurry and only know the person for a few days. Wang went on and talked about how the older generation affect the younger generations, helping them, “maintain a relationship and marriage to their whole life.”

Muslim student Tahira Abdul-Aadi described that men have to fit a certain criteria according to the father. She described that you can point someone out to your father and they can have a formal sit-down with him. Additionally, Muslim women have to marry Muslim men, but Muslim men can marry any type of women and have multiple wives.

Other Muslim student Sofia Shaikh continued the conversation and described how women are “like jewels” and are held to a higher stander then men.

Along, with parents input, students described what they would do with their own children. Jewish Student Organization President, Helene Albertson said she wants, “a happy balance between religion and letting them choose for themselves.”

Another question asked by the audience was, “how did your parents meet?’
Out of the six student’s half of their parents had arranged marriages and the other half were friends before.

Next the question about sex before marriage was asked to the speakers. Tahira discussed how sex before marriage is looked down on, especially for girls. Wang agreed with her and said humorously, “it cannot be openly discussed, but youngersters still do it!”

Additionally, Chines student Li Rui said, “it’s a personal choice.” Then went on to describe in her culture, just like America people have one night stands.
Overall, the public discussion held lasted longer than expected (an hour) with audience members showing curiosity and excitement understand cultures and religions other than their own.

Email Laura at:
lnull@live.esu.edu