The Bryant University community took a trip around the world on December 1 courtesy of i2i, Bryant’s annual culture and performance show and one of its most popular traditions. Organized by the university’s International Student Organization, this year’s i2i provided a joyous showcase for international music and dance traditions across eight different scenes, including sections focusing on The United States, Europe, India, China, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
More than 60 students — representing a range of cultures and nearly every course of study — came together for this year’s i2i , including representatives from Bryant’s campus in Zhuhai, China, who recorded a scene for the show. “i2i is about building community,” notes Joseph Lopez ’25, who directed the production alongside Luany Alencar ’25. “It’s about better understanding the person next to you.”
"i2i", says Alencar, embodies the spirit of Bryant’s close-knit international community. “It’s ISO’s mission to help educate people on campus about different cultures — and especially the cultures of the people that are here on campus — but it also is here to make sure that everyone on campus has a place where they feel like they’re home,” she says. “i2i is a chance to meet new people, learn about other cultures, and even share a part of your culture that’s special to you with the entire university.”
One of the best things about the show, the directors agree, is the supportive and enthusiastic crowd. “It’s a really good feeling to look out into the audience and see everyone who’s there for you — your friends and family and so many other people on campus,” says Alencar. “This is something that’s so important to us and we work so hard to perfect our scenes, so it’s really special to see everyone out there cheering for us.”
“There’s always a lot of positive energy at i2i,” Lopez acknowledges. “When you're backstage and you're waiting for your scenes to be called up, you feel anxious, but when it’s your turn and you go out on the stage with your peers and you see the bright lights and the entire crowd screaming for you, you realize, ‘Ok, this is really happening,’ and nothing beats that.”
At the end of the night, the director’s hope, of course, that the audience had a great time, but their ambition runs deeper than that. “We want everyone to walk away from i2i with a new appreciation for other cultures and that they see the value in our diversity,” says Alencar.
Here’s a look at i2i’s guided tour around the world:
