In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Asian American Student Association is hosting several events in order to share Asian culture with the Vanderbilt community.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, AASA gave students a "Taste of Asia," a buffet featuring Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Korean dishes from local restaurants. The annual event, which took place in the Student Life Center, featured Asian music and door prizes in addition to the international cuisine.

Junior Emily Wang, community vice president of AASA, said she believes events like this one contribute to students' appreciation of diversity.

"(The student body is) definitely becoming more diverse," said Wang. "(Taste of Asia) exposes people to Asian American culture."

Taste of Asia also helps students discover local Asian restaurants.

"(This event) really gives us a connection to the Nashville community," said senior Wendy Xiong, treasurer of AASA.

APAHM is co-sponsored by Vanderbilt Student Government, the Opportunity Development Center and the Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center.

"I personally think that it's great that AASA offers so many events to correspond to APAHM," said sophomore Sean Topping, VSG deputy chief of staff.

Other upcoming events in celebration of APAHM include a performance by Dan Chan the Magic Man on Nov. 10 and a presentation by cartoonist Lela Lee on Nov. 17.

Visit AASA's Web site at http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/AASA for more details.