First monthly grocery store trip draws one student

A lone University of South Dakota student was able to experience a taste of Hong Kong on Sunday without leaving the country.

The university’s Student Services provided the trip to the Hong Kong Supermarket in Sioux City for any students interested in visiting the oriental store.

Sahar Mohtadi Tabrizi, a junior piano performance major, was the only student to go on the trip and said that although she was disappointed more people didn’t go, she was happy the trip still happened.

“It was awesome because they had my favorite foods,” Tabrizi said.

Located in the western part of Sioux City, the small grocery store sells a variety of Asian food, including Chinese and Japanese food. The store also sells different types of dish ware, specifically teapots and saucers.

The event, which is funded by a USD alum, is set to happen once a month with trips to local food markets in the surrounding area.

Lindsay Sparks, director of Transitions and Student Services, said the event provides students with the opportunity to experience different cultures through grocery stores.

“It raises some cultural awareness and it fulfills a need for some students who might need a different type of grocery shopping experience,” Sparks said.

Sparks said that although only one student was able to attend the event, the trips are something they would like to continue in the coming months.

She said it is not only a great resource for international students who are looking for a taste of home, but also allows students who may not be accustomed to certain foods and cultures to branch out and try different cuisine.

Student Services plans to keep promoting the trips through its fall programming calendar, the white board in the Muenster University Center and by reaching out to international student organizations.

Taylor Vavra, a graduate assistant for Student Services, attended the event and said she hopes to see more students attend later trips because it allows students to get off campus and try new things.

“The idea behind the trip was to offer a more unique program on campus and letting students out of their comfort zone,” Vavra said.

The next trip is planned for Sept. 12 to another Asian market in Sioux City.

(Photo: Junior Sahar Mohtadi Tabrizi scans the shelves at the Hong Kong Supermarket in Sioux City. Tabrizi was the only student to participate in the monthly grocery store trip. Sydney Mook / The Volante)