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Thanksgiving came early as students, faculty and staff gathered for Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) International Thanksgiving Feast and Study Abroad Fair. Along with the traditional American turkey and dressing, the event offered Costa Rican fried plantains, Moroccan couscous, Vietnamese spring rolls, and other delicious staples from around the world.

This was Ana Carrillo’s first time at the annual event. A sophomore in GGC’s School of Health Sciences, Carrillo, 20, of Lawrenceville, had heard about the event on campus and decided to give it a try. She wasn’t disappointed.

“I heard the music and saw people joining together inside, and the ambiance felt great,” she said.

Taking the opportunity to expand her palate, Carrillo sampled the assortment of foods on her plate. She knew right then and there she’d be back next year – and she wanted others to join her.

“I want to invite everyone else to come here,” she said. “If you try it out, you’ll like it.”

Complimenting the assortment of foods was an assortment of lively music in an ensemble featuring GGC associate music professors Dr. Marc Gilley and Dr. Todd Mueller. With Gilley commanding the saxophone amid Mueller’s rhythmical drumbeat, there wasn’t a foot in the house that wasn’t tapping wildly to the music.

“These guys are fantastic,” said GGC’s School of Liberal Arts dean Teresa Winterhalter. “I’m so proud of Marc and Todd and our GGC music instructors. They just show exactly the kind of talent we have available for our students.”

Winterhalter pointed out that along with food, music is multicultural and brings people together.

“There’s so much diversity here in this auditorium and everyone’s tapping their feet and shaking their shoulders,” she said. “We all respond to it. It’s the perfect accompaniment to an event like this.”

The event was part of GGC’s International Education Week celebration and sponsored by GGC’s internationalization committee.

View pictures of the event.