How can culture be defined? With so many varying beliefs – different races, affinities, interests, and religions – sometimes the most united communities are the ones that place strength in individuality. The Island is no different. At the annual Cultural Outburst organized by International Student Ambassadors (ISA) and People Rising in Support of Multiculturalism (PRISM), students representing countries all around the world embraced the open-ended meaning behind “culture”. Whether savoring food from the tens of different booths or snapping pictures of those walking down the red carpet, students mixed tradition with novelty.
Head ISA Laura Phyu ‘25, a boarder from Myanmar and a president of the South East Asian Affinity group, shared that her desire to create awareness came from providing support for fellow students who don’t have their own support systems far from home.
“One of our goals as ISAs is to celebrate the diversity of our cultures and where we are from. Cultural Outburst was a way to bring the whole school together to really celebrate not only our international students, but the domestic students too.”
To prepare for the event, the ISAs used feedback from various cultural events, such as the Water Festival, which celebrated countries like Thailand and Myanmar on the Island.
“We like to make sure that students who celebrate or observe holidays in their home country can do it at Loomis… We announce holidays that are coming up in All-School Meetings so that students can feel appreciated and acknowledged,” said Laura.
Many students came away from Cultural Outburst this year feeling that it was truly exceptional. Having experienced a wider array of activities than previous years, students were able to familiarize themselves with foreign culture through unique, authentic means.
Siddharth Kilaru ‘25, a domestic boarder who worked with many other Indian students to run their own booth, echoed this sentiment.
“My favorite part was definitely the dance at the end. The performances and food were amazing, but there was something really special about everyone coming together like that. It genuinely felt like all our cultures – so different but somehow connected – were in the same space, celebrating each other,” he said.
While Siddharth is not an international student, his idea of culture and ties to India remain strong within his family.
Oscar Kong ‘25, a boarder from Hong Kong, found a sense of unity and community through preparing for the event itself.
“The Hong Kong group came together for a performance and it was something new for all of us… it really brought us together,” he said.
With so many varying ideas of culture, however, it’s impossible to define it through one concrete definition.
Sara Cheung ‘28, a boarder from Illinois, was not necessarily part of the planning, but was still able to engage with her identity, showing that culture is not bound by borders.
“I learned to become more aware of the different cultures, and also it made me want to represent my own culture,” she said.
The idea of self-representation echoed in the hearts of many. By embracing the broad range of culture’s definition, participants of Cultural Outburst were able to show the school the version of themselves that is unique and genuine.
“Culture, to me, is the quiet force that shapes the way you see the world: how you celebrate, how you speak, even how you laugh. For me, it’s also been a way to stay rooted while growing up far from where my family started,” Siddharth emphasized.
It is because of culture that students are able to humanize themselves.
Siddharth adds, “Because it’s real and has tangible impacts, culture is incredibly important to me. It reminds everyone that this school isn’t just about buildings and grades… it’s full of stories, backgrounds, and people who bring something unique to the table.”
