Medical Students Organize Inaugural World Heritage Market

A view of the event from above showing tables with students milling around them
The inaugural World Heritage Market took place in the Intercultural Center Galleria on October 25. (All images: Rhea Shetty)

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(November 13, 2024) — Medical students organized the first of its kind World Heritage Market to foster cultural awareness of the School of Medicine’s diverse student body.

Nine people stand together in the ICC Galleria
World Heritage Market organizers stand with Eileen Moore, MD, (pictured center) HOYA Clinic medical director and associate dean for community education and advocacy at the School of Medicine.

Student organizers from the HOYA Clinic partnered with student affinity groups to host the event, held October 25 in the Intercultural Center Galleria. The 125 attendees had the opportunity to explore various cultures through food and dance, and engage in conversations to foster cross-cultural understanding. The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging also supported the event.

In addition to celebrating cultural diversity, the World Heritage Market was a fundraising opportunity for the student organizations involved. Attendees purchased tickets when entering the marketplace that they could use for food and cultural items offered by the student affinity groups. The funds raised will directly support their programming, events and missions for the upcoming year.

“In planning for the event, we wanted to do something that would foster a sense of community and belonging on campus while also allowing student groups to fundraise,” said Hannah Chaddha (M’27), the equity and justice coordinator with HOYA Clinic and one of the organizers for the event. Student leaders spent four months planning the market.

Student groups were given full creative liberty for their booths. The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) sold Somali sambusas, while the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) sold Cuban chicken, pineapple pastelitos and tres leches cake. Additionally, the HOYA Clinic raffled off a basket of skin-care items provided by a dermatologist, and SOM faculty donated gift cards and even a three-course meal prepared by a faculty member.

“We’re thrilled to have so much participation and engagement from our student body and faculty,” said Chaddha. “It’s a beautiful experience to see all of these different affinity groups together and celebrate each other. It shows how rich the fabric of humanity truly is.”

Participating Groups

Arts & Medicine

Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA)

Food Is Medicine (FIM)

HOYA Clinic

HOYA Medical Pride Alliance

International Medical Student Association (MSA)

Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)

Maimonides Society at GUSOM

Military Medicine Interest Group (MMIG)

National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA)

South Asian Medical Student Association (SAMoSA)

Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

Seven students stand together behind a table with food items arrayed on it and a sign reading SAMOSA on the front
Students with the South Asian Medical Student Association sold samosas, laddoo and gulab jamun.
Three students stand together behind a table set with chocolate covered strawberries in plastic cups
Representatives of the student group Food is Medicine sold chocolate-covered strawberries.
Food in foil dishes on a table for the Student National Medical Association
Student National Medical Association representatives sold Somali sambusas and Jamaican pies.
Samples of MREs sit in rows on a table with a sign and additional items for purchase
Students in the Military Medicine Interest Group sold samples of, as well as entire, MREs.
Two students explain their table to Eileen Moore
Students with the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association explained to Dr. Eileen Moore what was available at their table, including matcha, lemon tea and grass jelly dessert bowls.
Raffle items are arrayed on small stands and tables
Raffle items included restaurant gift cards, a basket of snacks, tickets to pub crawl, and basket of dermatologist-selected skin-care products.