On June 18th, the Global Youth Advancement Network, part of MSU's new Center for Global Learning and Innovation at International Studies and Programs, hosted a session as part of MSU Extension 4-H Exploration Days, a pre-college program that brings over 1,000 youth from across Michigan to MSU’s campus to give them the opportunity to live like college students and explore future careers. During three days, youth stay in MSU residence halls and choose from over 100 learning sessions on a variety of topics led by MSU faculty/staff, 4-H volunteers, and other experts.

GYAN's session “Games & Crafts From Around the World” gave youth participants a taste of games, crafts, and snacks from the represented countries. 

Senior Innovation Officer for the Center for Global Learning and Innovation Luna Lu and Global Citizen Ambassador Adelle Dingledine shared Chinese snacks and a traditional Chinese craft known as Xiang bao (香包), or perfume sachets, a traditional craft associated with the Dragon Boat Festival. These sachets serve as good luck talismans and are worn on the body or hung to ward off bad spirits and insects. They can be made from cloth, ribbon, or paper, and traditionally contain Chinese medicinal herbs like mugwort, realgar, and wormwood. For this event, participants filled thier sachets with fragrant teas. 

Participants at the 4-H Exploration Days enjoyed learning about the cultural significance of sachet and the traditional techniques used in their creation. It was a wonderful opportunity to make something beautiful and meaningful but also helped foster an appreciation for cultural traditions among the participants.

"Helping students during 4-H Exploration days was a full circle moment for me since I can remember participating in Exploration days myself, so it was really fulfilling being a part of this event. " - Adelle Dingledine

Alexandra Jarvis, Program Administrator, shared traditional candy and games from the U.S. such as “Guess Who?”, cornhole, and other fun card games. For those unfamiliar with cornhole, this is an extremely popular game in the U.S. also known as bean bag toss. Individual players (or teams) take turns throwing bags filled with corn (or beans) at an inclined board with a hole in its far end; landing a bag on the board scores one point while putting a bag through the hole scores three points (corn in the hole).

Beyond sharing some typical Brazilian candy, Faculty Liaison & Program Coordinator Leticia Cherchiglia shared pescaria (in English, "fishing"), a game traditionally played during Festa Junina ("June Festival") in Brazil. Put simply, players use bamboo rods to "fish," and once they catch a fish, they win a prize. Festa Junina's origins date back to Portuguese colonization, and it was originally organized around the feast days of several Catholic saints. However, Festa Junina has developed alongside Brazilian culture over time, being celebrated often times without a specifically religious significance. In fact, in some states it has become the second largest popular celebration after Brazilian Carnival.

During Festa Junina, cities, towns, and even schools organize their own celebrations, which usually include eating typical food, traditional dancing known as quadrilha (similar to American square dancing), and playing games such as pescaria or ring toss.

Leticia also shared a traditional Brazilian craft known as bandeirinhas, a flag garland often used as decoration for Festa Junina, alongside paper balloons, straw hats, and corn. During the session, participants used Post-It notes to cut and assemble their own bandeirinhas.

Reflecting upon the event, Leticia said: “It was wonderful this year to host this event again for the benefit of youth attending 4H Exploration Days. We were even able to reconnect with some of the same people who attended the event last year. I believe opportunities such as these are invaluable for young people, and truly enjoyed the event!"

GYAN thanks MSU Extension for this opportunity to engage with pre-college youth, and looks forward to future 4-H Exploration Days!