Sporting events and parties will not be on the minds of all students this weekend. Starting tonight, the Indian American Student Association will hold its first Annual Indian American Student Conference.
Probir Mehta, vice president of the Michigan Student Assembly and a chair of the "Reflections - Looking Back ... Looking Ahead" conference, said the event is important for Indian students to understand and be aware of the problems they face.
"It is geared to promote and understand the high degree of issues facing Indian students in this country today," Mehta said.
The group expects 250 students from all over the United States and Canada to attend, including 75 University students.
Mehta also said the conference will look at the possible "dual identity" carried by a large number of college students who are children of immigrants.
Other conference topics include gender and sexuality issues, the different religions of India, and the stereotype of Indians and non-traditional careers like medicine and engineering.
The conference will try to attempt to understand contemporary issues while allowing students to keep their cultural individuality.
Nidhi Jajoo, an LSA junior, said she thinks this is a great opportunity.
"It is important for me to attend, personally, because it is not just about supporting IASA, but it gives me the opportunity to get involved nationally," Jajoo said.
Jajoo also said the conference shows IASA is not just about cultural events, but about other things as well, such as politics.
To start off the conference, a free cultural show at Rackham auditorium will feature a performance by 58 Greene and a display of Indian American dances, classical and modern music and talent.
In addition, there will be speakers to talk about the different issues, including Kumar Barve, the Deputy Chief of Missions at the Embassy of India, and Subrata Sengupta, the first U.S. legislator of Indian origin.
Mehta also said this is an important conference for the future of Indian students.
"This is a landmark event at the University of Michigan and for the Indian American community. The conference will present participants with the knowledge and motivation to head into the 21st century," he said.
LSA sophomore Abhay Patel said the weekend will help Indian students mix with American culture.
"It will help everyone understand how hard it is to be an American and an Indian at the same time," Patel said. "We have to respect our Indian culture and our country as well."