![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Nathan-Salvador-piano-vocal-and-Alex-Tian-guitar-vocal-ALLAN-SHOOK.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nJoining Aguilera is co-host Emily Zhao, a second-year international student from China. Zhao was involved in the Peer Connections Cultural Runway fashion show in 2018, and is thrilled to be hosting the Cultural Showcase Event for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m so excited because it\u2019s my first time to be a host,\u201d says Zhao. \u201cAnd, actually, when I was in high school in China, I really wanted to be a host, but there\u2019s no opportunity provided for me. So, this time, I\u2019m really excited about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aguilera says that he\u2019s excited to see the different people who are going to perform this year, despite auditions being derailed by February\u2019s snowfall. One of these performers will be second-year domestic University Transfer student Nathan Salvador, who will share his Filipino heritage at the event for the second time after getting involved last year. Salvador, a singer, says the experience of performing was enjoyable because of the sense of community behind the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t just the showcase itself but the biggest thing, I think, for me was the environment that was there\u2014just the new people, seeing the passion everyone was showing about showcasing their culture, and their passion of just meeting new friends. It was a really welcoming environment, you know,\u201d says Salvador. \u201cEven if everyone was meeting there for the first time, it felt like we knew each other for years. It was just a really cool atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salvador says that atmosphere is one the things that encouraged him to come back this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo be honest, I was really, really nervous. I get really, really nervous really easily,\u201d says Salvador. \u201cBut I think that that warm environment and atmosphere before the performance really gave me some courage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salvador says another big part of his decision to participate is how the event sheds light on cultural discrimination, an issue he personally tries to focus on after developing several friendships with international students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore I didn\u2019t really have any idea what the international community was going through, being a domestic student who grew up here, even if my culture is Filipino,\u201d says Salvador. \u201cTalking with these people really kind of opened my eyes to see how much hardship they go through when they\u2019re moving out of their comfort zone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Salvador hopes other domestic students will join the cause with the help of events like this. Aguilera echoes Salvador\u2019s sentiment about the important message behind this event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy doing this event, we recognize March 21, the International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination,\u201d says Aguilera. \u201cThat\u2019s also a big part of the event, how we started.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n