Celebrating Cultures Through Music
Welcome to Rhythms of the World: Celebrating Culture Through Music, a Spotify playlist curated in celebration of International Education Month. This collection features songs chosen by individuals from our UC Merced community. Through diverse sounds and stories, this playlist invites listeners to explore how music captures the essence of human connection across cultures. Let each song offer a glimpse into different lives, perspectives, and places, celebrating our shared love for music as a bridge between people everywhere. Discover, listen, and celebrate the rhythms that unite us all!
If you have a song that reminds you of home, a track that inspires global connection, or a melody that transports you to a different culture, we want to hear it! Use our Rhythms of the World Submission Form to submit your song suggestions and help us create a diverse soundtrack that reflects the richness and vibrancy of international education.
| Submitter | Track and Origin | Reason for Selecting this Song |
| Sofia Buenrostro, Student | "Todo Contigo," Alvaro de Luna; Spain |
When I was studying abroad in Barcelona, there was a music festival one week called La Mercè. This artist performed during the festival and this was one of his most popular songs. Whenever I play it, it reminds me of my study abroad experience. |
| Alex Kuzmin, Student | "Jamming," Bob Marley & The Wailers; Jamaica | When I was studying abroad in the Caribbean, I began listening to local music. Reggae was a very popular music genre that I enjoyed. This song has a vey uplifting and groovy jam to it. Even after coming back to states I still find myself "jamming" this song. |
| Elise Kim, Student | "We don't have to Be Alone," Thee Sacred Souls; California, United States |
During my time abroad in South Korea, it was easy to feel isolated with how fast paced life was. I was born and raised in a more rural/suburban area of California, so a big city like Seoul, South Korea was so unfamiliar to me. This song helped remind me that you're never alone, and there can be a community wherever you go. Whether it's picking up a grocery list an elderly person drops or learning about your taxi driver's past, these daily human connections are universal and can be found wherever you go. |
| Keona Huang, Student | "爱到才知痛 Ai Dao Cai Zhi Tong," Huang Yi Ling; Taiwan | It's one of the songs I love to listen and sing to for karaoke that reminds me of Taiwan and home. :) |
| Keona Huang, Student |
"阿里山姑娘 a li shan gu niang," Teresa Teng; Taiwan |
It's a song about a specific mountain and its people in Taiwan, very well known song for locals all over the country :) |
| Keona Huang, Student |
"愛江山更愛美人 Ai Jiang Shan Geng Ai Mei ren," Lily Lee; Taiwan |
A song that spans between Taiwan and China and is very traditional to sing. |
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Keona Huang, Student |
"浪花一朵朵 lang hua yi duo duo," Richie Jen; Taiwan |
It's a very lighthearted more traditional sounding Taiwanese Song |
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Keona Huang, Student |
"愛情恰恰 ai qing cha cha," Chen Xiao Yun;Taiwan |
It's a very catchy and it has rasputin-type vibes in it too, it feels cross cultural; also it's in Taiwanese! |
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Keona Huang, Student |
"戀愛ing," Mayday; Taiwan |
It's upbeat and a more modern Taiwan rock song, super catchy and cute! |
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Mia Hinshaw, Student |
"Trên Tình Bạn Dưới Tình Yêu," Min; Vietnam |
During my first year as an undergrad, I joined the Vietnamese Student Association. As a fourth year now I've really enjoyed being part of this organization and performing various cultural dances! This song is very special to me, because it is the song I first performed fan dance (Múa Quạt) to. Listening to it makes me think of the time we spent practicing and how colorful the performance was with all our áo dàis. |
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Jason Monarrez, Student |
"Hay Unos Ojos," Antonio Bribiesca; Mexico |
It has a cultural connection to me. I first heard it when I visited my family in Mexico where one of my relatives played it for us. |
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Jason Monarrez, Student |
"Capicho Árabe," Francisco Tárrega; Spain | It has been a favorite of mine for some time. When I went to Spain, I had the privilege of hearing it in person. |
| Monika Sanoria, Faculty | "Amma Pachchadi," Vivek Hariharan; India, Himachali | It feels so close to home — like being in my mother’s lap. This traditional song’s lyrics say: the mother asks, “Why are you so sad?”The daughter replies, “Where does the moon go? Where do the stars go? And where do the people we love go?” The mother answers, “The moon hides, the stars hide — but they never truly go away. Just like the people we love.” |
| Kassity, Staff | "Remember Summer Days," Anri; Japan | My go to work song! |
| Rico Johnson, Staff | "Sonido Bestial," Richie Ray y Bobby Cruz; Puerto Rico | My dad's family is Puerto Rican and I was introduced to Salsa music at an early age. On one of our family trips to visit Puerto Rico, I can recall specifically listening to the local salsa music radio station when this song came on. I remember being fascinated by the musical arrangement and its mixing of traditional salsa music with elements of other genres like classical and jazz. And it never loses its danceability! |
| Jingquan Li, Student | " 喂" 单依纯; China | I chose this song because it has a soft R&B vibe that feels very comforting. This singer's voice is emotional yet peaceful, and it reminds me of quiet nights at home in China. |
| Anneberlyn Valladolid, Student | "Oh Que Sera?" Willie Colon; Puerto Rico | I'm Mexican but have a Puerto Rican uncle who introduced me to salsa music years ago so it reminds me a bit of him and that side of my family. The song feels like home. |
