CAMPUS: TAMIU welcomes spring with Festival of Colors
By Veronica Mata
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, March 17, 2026
With spring officially here, Texas A&M International University’s Housing and Residence Life and TAMIU’s Office of International Experiences brought back the annual Holi celebration. Students gathered to welcome spring and celebrated the triumph of good over evil through this Hindu tradition, also known as the Festival of Colors.
On Wednesday, March 4, smiles filled the Student Center Green. Students ran around in white shirts, throwing colored powder at one another. Friends laughed and took pictures while an ambience of music filled the background.
Brother Ezekiel Garza and sister Aline Tobias eat popsicles and look toward the crowd during TAMIU’s Holi celebration in the Student Center Green on March 4, 2026.
Director of the Office of International Experiences Yamel Muzquiz said TAMIU’s primary goal with this event is to foster global awareness and cultural appreciation on campus.
“TAMIU prides itself in preparing students to be global citizens, and events like Holi are part of providing this opportunity to students to learn more about traditions from abroad and [have] an engaging environment,” Muzquiz said.
TAMIU aimed to send a message of unity, connection and understanding to its students. The event encourages students to learn about and experience different cultures, while providing them with opportunities to better understand each other and build stronger connections within the community.
“When students participate in this type of cultural celebration, they are not only having fun, but they’re getting a deeper appreciation for [these] cultures in perspective from beyond our own,” Muzquiz said.
Jennifer Sanchez, left, and an unidentified student walk hand-in-hand as TAMIU’s Holi event comes to a close at the Student Center Green on March 4, 2026.
TAMIU student Laura Jeptoo shared her excitement about learning about other cultures and celebrating them with others. She said TAMIU should continue to host events like HOLI, where more cultures are incorporated annually into the school.
“I would say celebrating other people’s cultures means understanding what their cultures mean and incorporating them into the system,” Jeptoo said. “[It] makes them feel acceptable and feel appreciated too.”
Through events like Holi, Lunar New Year, Diwali and more, TAMIU can bring a little bit of home to its international students.
“Many of our students are from very far away, and they don’t always get to celebrate their cultural traditions away from home,” Muzquiz said. “So, by hosting these types of events, we create the spaces for international students to share their background, their cultures.”
Muzquiz said hosting events like Holi showcases what makes TAMIU special, which is its community and preparing its students to be global citizens. Their goal is to host these events each year and strengthen TAMIU’s sense of community.
“We aim at these events fostering friendship, cultural exchange, and just a stronger sense of belonging for international students,” Muzquiz said.
