On Oct. 17, the Asian Student Union invited the Drew Community to “get hands-on with Japanese culture” during their Sushi Social, hosted in Crawford Hall. Students and faculty had the opportunity to learn how to assemble traditional Japanese rice dishes such as maki, onigiri and musubi, while also fostering community, cultural appreciation and a shared love of great food.
The goal behind hosting the Sushi Social was “to teach students about traditional Japanese meals while providing them with dining options beyond what’s available on campus,” said Stephanie Huang (‘26), ASU’s marketing and engagement officer. “On top of that, we wanted to bring an authentic taste of home to the Asian and Asian American community here at Drew.”
When asked how events like this align with ASU’s overall mission, Huang explained that “ASU strives to create a safe and welcoming space for people of all ethnic backgrounds on campus and aims to foster a community inclusive to anyone who wants to learn more about Asian cultures, whether they’re students or faculty. By bringing the Drew community together through something as universal as food and having them participate in the hands-on learning experience of building Japanese meals, Sushi Social accomplished just that.”
ASU members and attendees were thrilled by the turnout and enthusiasm. “We were really glad to see so many students and faculty not only enjoying the food but also having fun assembling their own, customizable meals,” Huang said. “Several of our guests came back for more! It was great to see the weeks of planning and prep work we put into it pay off.”
Aira Poticano (‘26), president of ASU, shared what she hopes attendees took away from the experience: “We hope that students had a fun time making sushi and getting hands-on with Japanese culture. We wanted them to experiment with different types of rolls and learn the background behind them.”
Looking towards the future, ASU has more prospective events. “ASU is excited to create even more memorable and educational experiences for Drew students,” Poticano said. “Last spring semester, we organized a new event called the APIDA Heritage Month Mixer, and with the turnout we received, we plan to make it a yearly tradition. At this networking event, students of all ethnic backgrounds are invited to converse with peers and faculty members of Asian heritage about their thoughts on relevant cultural topics.”
Huang added that ASU will continue to share upcoming events and updates through Instagram and its newsletter. “Every fall semester, ASU plans to make each year better than the last. Drew can expect the return of some of our biggest events, such as Lunar New Year, the APIDA Heritage Month Mixer, and Night in Asia. We’re always looking to get more people involved.”
The Sushi Social became more than a culinary event; it was a celebration of Asian culture and community. Through experiences like this that foster cultural awareness, ASU continues to build connections and communities. As the semester continues to unfold, Drew students should look forward to more enticing opportunities to learn about others and socially connect.
Students who are interested in joining and participating in the ASU can reach out via Instagram (@drew_asu) or email asu@drew.edu.
Nathaniel Ferrone is a first-year student majoring in Philosophy and English.
