CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Upper Walker Elementary School students learned how other people live through food, games and dancing at their cultural day on Thursday.

Students researched countries from all around the world. Some chose their home countries and others just chose what they interested in.

Walker has students from Mexico, Afghanistan, Russia and more.

They made projects and taught their classmates what they learned, and also saw performances from Filipino dancers and a kung fu dragon.

Zaree Ahmedazy, the English as a Second Language teacher (ESOL) at Walker, organized the event.

She said the fun fosters understanding and respect of other cultures.

"I think it's important to an event like this because it reflects our population and we want to make sure that the students get representation and know that they are honored in our school," she said.

She said she loved seeing the students happy, enjoying themselves, and proud to represent their culture.