Yesterday evening resident directors from Hinman and Mountainview residential communities hosted part four of the College Culture Series, a new series meant to help new international students adjust to Binghamton University and U.S. culture.

The Great Room of Mohawk Hall in College-in-the-Woods transformed into “Yum Yum Kitchen Fun,” an interactive information session on eating healthy and residential hall cooking.

Steve Nepp, RD of Cleveland and Hughes Halls in Hinman College, and Scott Rheinheimer, RD of Lehman Hall, also in Hinman, started the evening with a presentation about fire safety tips, kitchen cleanliness, cooking measurements in the United States and keeping up a healthy diet in college dining halls.

Four students attended the event.

The presentation focused on balanced diets, particularly on incorporating vitamins from fruits and vegetables into a meal, cooking safety, such as never leaving a stovetop unattended, and prohibited items such as halogen lamps and extension cords that are fire hazards in dorm rooms.

“People forget that there are metal things attached to microwavable products,” said Tanyah Barnes, RD of Marcy Hall in Mountainview College, reflecting on past experiences with students.

Additionally, the staff informed the students that there is a nutritionist on campus, Alexa Schmidt, who is willing to meet with students via appointment to discuss healthy meal plans or help international students become familiar with American foods.

After the presentation, the four students made cheese quesadillas and interacted with the resident directors.

“We want students to participate to make the sessions more fun,” Rheinheimer said.

The College Culture Series started two years ago as a result of increased international student enrollment at BU.

“Many cultures do different things with food or are used to the metric system,” Barnes said. “We want to be more proactive to try to reach students and give them information.”