ACSC, AWC build partnerships at International Culture Day

Attendees explore the 62 different cultures displayed at the International Culture Day March 23, 2015 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The 111 international officers at Air War College and Air Command and Staff College shared their cultures and customs with their fellow students through food, dress, music and language to promote understanding and strengthen partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert)

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ACSC, AWC build partnerships at International Culture Day

Crepes and other native foods at the French booth were popular among the attendees of the Air War College and Air Command and Staff College International Culture Day, March 23, 2015, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The partnership-building event featured the customs and cultures of the 62 different countries represented by the 111 international officers attending both AWC and ACSC. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert)

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ACSC, AWC build partnerships at International Culture Day

Published April 2, 2015
By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALa -- The 111 international officers attending Air War College and Air Command and Staff College shared their cultures with their fellow students during the annual International Culture Day, March 28, 2015, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

AWC and ACSC students, faculty and families had the opportunity to build upon partnerships and experience 62 different cultures and customs, all represented through food, dress and different languages during the event.

"We go all over the world and we have to understand what other cultures are like in order to better work with them and make sure we are doing what we need to do in our mission set," said Maj. Bea Nielsen, ACSC student. "If we do events like this, we get a better idea of what other people are like and how to better interact with them so our overall mission as Air Force members can be better fulfilled."

The event exposed all attendees to customs other than their own and helped bring a sense of understanding between people from different countries.

"It's nice to see all this harmony in one room. It's also important as international officers to learn more about each other's culture," said Maj. Jesse Laroche, an ACSC student from Australia. "The U.S. Air Force said that one of its missions is partnership building and partnerships and this event exemplifies that; it gives the opportunity for people to see these cultures in one spot."

"We tend to see the world through our own lens with our own biases," said Lt. Col. Darcy Molstad, AWC student from Canada. "This allows our aperture to open and see the world more broadly and become more culturally aware. It gives us a chance to establish relationships with each other, because at the end of the day, we're going to be operating together in coalitions, and if we understand each other a little better, we will be able to operate more efficiently together."