The International Festival is a long-standing family event of Open Doors Academy (ODA) that affords our scholars an opportunity to learn about and participate in the growing multicultural and global world we live in. We use a multi-faceted project themed around different countries and cultures to immerse our scholars in a global education experience. The major components of this project are country-specific art project, culinary tasting, replica flag, informational trifold, and scholar dance/music performances.

Scholars select an art project for each country based on the significance of the art and/or art style for the country. Scholars will research, select, and produce the art projects and present them in an “Art Walk” at the festival. Scholars will create replica flags for each country using  various arts and crafts materials provided by ODA. Scholars will also perform with musical instruments and/or dances that are significant to the countries they have selected. The festival also includes unique foods from each country. Scholars will research the popular food items, select a food, and prepare or order the food from an outside vendor. Small plates of food from each country will be served to the audience. Each food item will include a recipe/ingredient card displayed in the food service area. Finally, scholars will prepare and display trifolds that includes information for each country selected for the International Festival, which may include government type, leader, religious composition, geographic features, climate, history, folklore, racial composition, economic composition, and language.