What do figs from Palestine, Turkish music and the Italian flag have in common?

All were part of yesterday's cultural bazaar organized by the Center for English as a Second Language program.

"The mini bazaar is an opportunity for students who come from 43 different countries to share their culture with each other," said Elizabeth Templin, assistant director of the University of Arizona's Center for English as a Second Language.

About 160 people attended the bazaar, where students from Africa ate Mexican salsa while European students learned to play the Koto, a Japanese musical instrument.

"I love to show the things about my country to people from other countries, and we can teach people about new things while we are learning," said Yakasongo Mutamba of Zaire.

Some of the foreign students are attending a four-week program through CESL as an orientation to American universities. Other students will continue to attend the UA when the fall semester starts.

"During the summer, the students from 43 different countries take intensive English courses for 22 hours a week all together," Templin said.

The countries were sectioned off into rooms. The students used music, food, videos, clothing and maps to depict their countries' cultures.

The Turkish students displayed homemade clothing made by a student's mother. They also proudly displayed a picture of a newborn Turkish boy, who turned out to be a student's son.

In a room of African displays, students wore brightly colored attire while drum music played in the background. Jean-Claude Mowandza of Congo said the room was set up with things representing their countries, and all the students wore traditional clothing .

"The language barrier is sometimes difficult," said Helen Abdulaziz, adviser to the students. "But, we work it out with patience."