Lukasz Turski of Poland started making Bigos, or hunter's stew, five days before he brought it to Carroll College's International Fair Sunday.

The traditional Polish dish is made with a variety of meats, spices and sauerkraut and, for the best taste, is cooked for days.

Turski, a senior studying sociology and criminal justice, is one of Carroll's international students who spent Sunday afternoon sharing his culture with visitors attending the fair.

"I like to share my culture," he said. "It's something they can't get here and I hope this even encourages them to travel."

About 10 countries were represented at the International Fair. Tables included food, maps, toys, household goods, pictures, flags and traditional items from each country.

Willie Hansen, a senior hoping to get into international public health after graduation, is the co-president of the Organization of American Students and International Students (OASIS) and organizer of the fair.

Hansen said the event was a way for international students to share their cultures and way of life back home with other Carroll students as well as the Helena community.

Robert Montgomery is a junior from Northern Ireland studying business on a one-year scholarship. He made Irish stew for visitors.

He said not everyone gets to travel abroad, so the International Fair exposed those who don't to other parts of the world.

"It brings abroad to them," he said.

Amanda and Angel Martinez are American sisters who live in Germany, but currently attend school at Carroll. They consider Germany home and the United States their country.

Amanda, 20, is a junior studying nursing, and Angel, 22, is a senior who studies English. They've lived in Stuttgart, Germany, for 13 years because their father works for the American government there.

They brought maps, books and candy from Germany.

"This is a great way to show the Helena community a little about our culture that they wouldn't find otherwise," Angel said.

Ron Stottlemyer is a medievalist who has taught at Carroll for the past 24 years and enjoys attending the annual event.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to discover our central humanness by sampling other cultures," he said.

Stottlemyer said people in today's world lead a pretty narrow life with limited time. He described the fair as a "liberation of the spirit."

Michelle Lewis, director of International Programs at Carroll, said the event gives everyone an opportunity to increase their geographical awareness, which American's aren't necessarily known for.

The international students love it, she said.

"They are very proud of their culture and they should be, so they love to share it," Lewis said.

Some students who host tables at the fair stay in Helena their entire college careers, while others are only visiting for a short time.

Turski plans to return to Poland in May, when he'll pursue a career in law enforcement. He says he'll miss many things about America, but most of all, the people.

"Everybody is smiling -- so hospitable," he said. "You can talk to everyone about anything."

Montgomery agrees saying local people are friendlier than people in Ireland.

"It's more communal here," he said adding that he'll be sad to leave when the semester is over.

Montgomery will also miss the outdoor lifestyle Helena offers because in his home country, it rains constantly. Since living here he's found that he enjoys skiing, snowboarding and likes the hot summers.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com