Students, alums and local community members gathered Sunday to enjoy meals from around the world that was prepared by the members of LISA (Loras International Student Association).

“This was an opportunity for people to get to know each other,” said LISA president Sergio Perez. “Sharing a meal between different cultures builds relationships between people of different backgrounds. LISA strives to provide opportunities for people to share intercultural experiences.”

With more than 30 dishes representing foods from 10 countries, those at the International Dinner enjoyed dishes such as pollo saltado from Peru, chicken curry from Nepal and sushi from Japan.

The guests were impressed by the quality and variety of the dishes. Ali Said, Arabic-studies professor, said the dinner was “wonderful — bringing people together over food.”

“The food is great, (and) speaks volumes on Loras’ effort to integrate their students,” added Hakeem Mahdi, a teacher and a representative for the Islamic Center.

The students who made the food had “a great opportunity to share their culture with others,” said sophomore Alejandro Cosmopolis, who made the popular pollo saltado.

This year’s dinner introduced an element of competition. Students said they had fun decorating and cooking with the help of Aramark, and, in some of the cases, even relatives.

“It’s terrific to see how (the dinner) has grown,” said Dr. John Eby, associate professor of history and director of the honors program. “I’m always impressed by the time students invest into it. This expresses Loras’ ethnic hospitality.”