Andrews University: The Vegetarian Hotpot

Can a hotpot be Vegetarian?

Hi, my name is Taznir Smalling, a junior studying International Business from the beautiful Island of Jamaica. Let me introduce you to some of my friends. Meet Elsie Mokoya (graduate, vocal performance) from Kenya, Cyril Punai (graduate, choral conducting) from the Philippines; and Nicole Bodetti (graduate, public health) with roots in South India. These students represent the many cultures we have on the campus of Andrews University. It has been announced that Andrews University has been tied in ranking #1 in Campus Ethnic Diversity among 440 National Universities.

As a student of color, I am privileged to be on a campus with multiple faces, some that look like mine and an equal number that do not. I adore people, the more differences we share, the more intrigued I am. I am an artist, Vocal performance is my passion, and music within itself is rich with diversity and that is why I am learning to embrace the culture of others, so being given the opportunity to do this at Andrews University is the best opportunity I could have ever received.

I love to learn about Asian cultures. I think they have some of the best cuisine, and one that stands out to me is hotpot - a delicious dish shared by many Asian cultures. This is a dish composed of broth, noodles or rice, meat/ seafood/ protein, vegetables, fresh herbs and spices, and sauces. According to  What is Hot Pot? Ultimate Guide to Ordering and Eating Hot Pot - Thrillist “Hotpot is more of an experience than it is a meal because it encapsulates the communal dining ethos many Western restaurants have only just developed.” The point is, the hotpot is a meal that is meant to be eaten with people you consider close; it is a meal that brings families together. When I think of this very messy yet delicious dish, I think of Andrews University, the way that people from different countries create such a beautiful and interesting campus, one that allows each person to experience bits and pieces of the world. Just as this dish was not made to be enjoyed by one person but by many, so is our campus.

The only reason the hotpot is such a popular dish today is because of the variety of things that are included in it–everything combined makes the dish very unique and fascinating to people. I believe this is also the same for our Andrews Campus. It’s the people who make this campus an experience and that is what potential students look for in a school. Andrews University has a place for everyone.

I asked my friends the question, “What is the charm that made you choose  Andrews University?” Nicole Bodetti (graduate, public health) replied, “The diversity is what made me choose Andrews. Being amongst my people and also meeting new individuals from different races and cultures and still being considered family is a blessing.”

Cyril Punai (graduate, music performance) replied, “I experience the beauty of this campus through the eyes of the University Singers. Being part of a community made up of a variety of beautiful people performing songs from all over the world is like a dream come true, and I would not have it any other way.”

And finally, Elsie Mokoya (graduate, vocal performance) replies, “The interaction between people of different cultures makes the learning experience even more precious at Andrews University.”

The people have spoken, and I restate my claim that Andrews has a place for everyone. I am proud of our university for receiving this honor and I look forward to greater things happening in the future. To answer the question before, can a hotpot be vegetarian? When I think of this campus, I think of hotpot, and because a lot of us are traditionally vegetarian, that is why I called this article “Andrews University: The Vegetarian Hotpot.”