Time for Tea

Sep 29, 2011

tea Tea houses are popular in many countries, such as Japan, Korea and China. People come together to sip tea and converse. This year, Intercultural Affairs is hosting its own weekly tea house.

The idea behind the King Center Tea House is to give students a relaxed space to come together and talk.

"We wanted to establish a space and time for interaction with diverse individuals, insights and ideas," says Karis Thompson, assistant director of Intercultural Affairs.

Every week different types of teas are presented and served in culturally authentic teacups.

The group of people who attend is varied. There are international students, students and faculty from other schools, community leaders, professors and even President William Craft.

"It provides a chance to pause, which is important in our busy little lives," says Elise Tweten '12, Fargo, N.D.

The King Center Tea House is held from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays in the newly renovated King Intercultural Center, located in the lower level of Park Region.

Jordan Lyseng '12, Eagan, Minn., helped renovate the King Intercultural Center through his May internship this past summer. Lyseng says his biggest goal while painting and redesigning was to host teas started during the academic year. The new space has a relaxed café feel to it, which the students enjoy.

The King Center includes multiple computers, a small library and a TV system.

"We really want the space to be used by anybody and everybody," says Lyseng, who hopes the tea house will bring in enough people to accomplish that.


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