Students in the Intensive English Program (IEP) plan to immerse themselves in Texas and American culture by attending the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Friday. 

“This will be a fun introduction to Texas culture for our students,” Britt Luby, the IEP coordinator, said. “It’s also a creative way to practice English.”

The Intensive English Program consists of 55 international students. All full-time IEP students are expected to attend the event Friday.

Luby said that students will get to experience many different aspects of the Stock Show.

They will receive an international badge that gives them admission to the grounds and nearby museums such as the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the Texas Cattle Raisers Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Admission to the rodeo is also included.

Some IEP students have attended the Stock Show more than once with the program.

IEP student Nasrallah Alkhabi, who attended last year’s event, said he never experienced anything like the rodeo in his home country of Saudi Arabia.

“The rodeo was bigger than what I imagined,” Alkhabi said. “I imagined there would be cows and horses, but I didn’t know there would be competitions.”

Alkhabi said he would love to attend the event again after his experience last year.

“I really had fun because that was my first time to be there, and I met many people who were friendly,” Alkhabi said. “Also, I learned about a different culture, which is the Texas cowboy culture.”