The long wait is finally coming to an end. An important day for multiculturalism will arrive at Greengates British International School in Mexico City, when the International Fair is held March 1-2. All 60 unique nationalities of the Greengates community will be on display at this event.
Greengates is a coeducational institution, situated in the Balcones de San Mateo neighborhood in Naucalpan, located northwest of Mexico City. It follows the British educational curriculum, but attracts students and staff from approximately 60 countries. Because the International Fair is one of the most renowned events of the school, this year, students and the larger community will be offered the chance to sample the music, dance, foods, national dress, familiar commercial products, games and sports of different countries. According to the the headmaster, Jonathan Robins, the objective of all these efforts is to promote school unity.
When students and their teachers are not sampling kebabs, bulgogi, naan, and of course the ubiquitous tacos and pizza, they will have the chance to meet and freely interact with each other. Andreu Tolosa Astivia, 14, of Mexican-Spanish origins, has been living in Mexico for over 5 years and will be coming to the fair for the second time this year. He enjoys visiting the Spanish booth because it is familiar to him and he likes the food. He remarked, “I enjoy seeing many people come together from different nationalities and interact with each other. It’s certainly a delight for me to see my Spanish relatives in my school for once.”
Another visitor to the fair is 15-year-old Noam Taifeld Fischer from Israel. He has lived in Mexico for 3 years and enjoys the “incredible food” at the Dutch booth. According to Noam, “There’s no other school in Mexico that has such a variety of nationalities as ours. The International Fair crew, in my opinion, is doing a spotless job, and should continue the good work. I especially like how each booth brings their own traditional games as sort of a bonus activity apart from the food they offer.”
One of the helpers at the Dutch booth will be Thomas Cornelis Veerman, 14, a native of the Netherlands. He will be coming with his mom, dad, and older sister for the third time. He especially likes the Mexican booth for its “unique and versatile foods.” He responded to one of the questions as the following, “I love seeing so many displays from different countries that make it possible for me to learn about them in such a short time span. It’s incredible if you think about it.” When asked what he finds disappointing in particular at the Fair, he replied, “There’s not much to pinpoint about the flaws of this event, but in my most honest opinion, I dislike the fact that not all countries show up, and all of the community members should take part. I sometimes notice that some countries lack representation.”
Whether they come for the delectable food, the exotic music and dance, the colorful traditional costumes, or just to see friends and have an unforgettable time, the people who come to this International Fair at Greengates School, will surely not be disappointed. The enormous diversity of vibrant cultures causes the International Fair to continue to triumph as one of this British International school’s greatest prides and joy.
