Visiting international business students gather for World Cup party
There were tears. There were angry outbursts. But they got to share the experience together.
About 150 of 300 cultural exchange students from South and Central America participating in the 每日大赛鈥檚 executive management certificate program attended a World Cup viewing party organized by the university at Davenport Dining Hall on Tuesday.
Dr. Ibrahim 鈥淎be鈥� Helou, Dean of the College of Business and Public Management, postponed classes for the students and put together the party so students wouldn鈥檛 miss the semifinal match, which pitted Germany against Brazil. Students crowded into the hall, sat in front of three screens and ate ice cream.
鈥淲e knew that because of the World Cup, most of them would not be coming to class,鈥� Helou said. The students 鈥� who hail from Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, and Guatemala – are part of a three-week summer program.
Roberto Diniz, director of institutional relations at the International Business School of S茫o Paulo, said he suspected La Verne would postpone classes, but he didn鈥檛 expect the school to throw the students a party.
Though Germany scored five goals in the first 29 minutes of play, many of the students still lingered in the hall throughout the game. It was a sea of green and yellow jerseys, worn by fans who hoped Brazil鈥檚 luck would somehow turn around.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 talk,鈥� said Aline Baz, a student from Rio de Janeiro. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 speak.鈥�
The group was still grateful the school pulled out all the stops to accommodate their passion for the game. And with Brazil scoring one goal just under the wire, they had something to cheer about.
鈥淚n Brazil, soccer is like a religion,鈥� Diniz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 part of our culture.鈥�
