The Campus Tea and Talk: A Black and White Affair encouraged students to interact with other cultures and meet new people Thursday at the Brad D. Smith Foundation Hall.

The event was organized by Marshall’s World Council, where students from all over the world come together to host events with the intention to bring people together. Associate Vice President of Intercultural Affairs Maurice Cooley said people just need a reason to start a conversation and this was the idea behind the event.

“This event was created out of a relatively simple concept and that concept would be that people have a hard time talking to one another,” Cooley said. “But when they do start talking, it is amazing how much we have in common.”

The entire Marshall community was invited to the Tea and Talk and people were encouraged to wear black and white in order to show how everyone can be the same, yet different. The tables where everyone sat had conversation piece cards in case anyone at the table was shy or if they were uncertain where to start the conversation.

The cards were colored blue and pink, because each half hour Cooley would announce a seating switch. Cooley would tell the people with one color or the other to get up after 30 minutes and switch tables. President Jerome Gilbert said the event was a great way to get people talking and meet new people.

“This is a great opportunity for people to come together and talk about culture, to talk about differences, to talk about similarities, to get to know one another, to learn about different parts of the world and to sample some very interesting teas,” Gilbert said.

The refreshments varied from different types of hot tea and cold tea. The food was traditional tea time snacks, such as cucumber sandwiches, small cookies and chocolates. The table in the back of the room also displayed different teas from around the world, such as India, China and Native American teas.

“I attended because I am part of the World Council, but the event is good for anyone wanting to make a new friendship,” President of the Saudi Arabia club Omar Alsulami said. “I have met at least at least one person I hope to see in the future and it is true, people want to talk, you just have to ask first.”

The World Council plans to organize another event in the spring semester and are currently planning new ideas at their meetings they have twice a month.

Monica Zalaznik can be reached at [email protected].