Humber students visited the Learning Resource Center (LRC) on Thursday to see dozens of booths showcasing cultures from around the globe.
Euella Chloe Manala, a Filipino international student ambassador at Humber College, had set up her station to display fashion, art and food from the Philippines.
“This event is very important for us because whenever I talk to other students about the Philippines, they don’t really know much about it and sometimes they don’t even know where the Philippines is,” she said.
“It’s a good way to let the Humber population know what we’re all about and what’s so unique about Philippine culture,” Manala said.
Humber College’s international student ambassadors hosted the “Global Cultural Hub” event to celebrate the 22nd annual International Education Week (IEW). Schools, associations, and governments in more than 100 countries take part in highlighting the importance of international education.
Many students who walked by the LRC would make a stop at the event. In particular, students lined up behind booths giving out traditional snacks and treats.
Manala pointed to the rice cakes and traditional spring rolls, called Lumpia Shanghai, on one of the tables in her booth, and noted the importance of showcasing food.
“When you think about a culture, you think about food. It’s intertwined with the culture,” she said.
Ridhina Gaba showcases her photograph of the Safdarjung Tomb with a description of its significance to India at the Global Cultural Hub event. Photo credit: Andre La Rosa-Rodriguez
Across from her station was an International Development booth showcased by Alex Husband, a strategic communications specialist at the International Development Institute (IDI), who helps Humber College connect with the international community for development work.
She said the school has a $15 million profile on developmental work that “most students don’t know about.” The funds go towards providing education in more than 30 countries to prepare them for the workforce.
To make this possible, Humber collaborates with organizations like Global Affairs Canada, the World Bank, and many non-governmental institutions.
Husband’s main goal at the event was to raise awareness and show students the opportunities there are to be a part of these projects.
“Developmental work can be interdisciplinary. It doesn’t matter what your specialty is,” she said. “There’s always a way to interact with developmental work.”
In one section of the LRC there were artists and photographers displaying various elements of their work, which included monuments and designs that represented their country.
Ridhina Gaba, a media communications student, was eager to showcase a picture she had taken of the Safdarjung Tomb in Delhi, India, that was being displayed at the event.
She noted that the mausoleum, known for its historical and architectural significance, would highlight the beauty of her city.
“I was really happy that it was selected,” Gaba said. “I’m glad that I was able to share this picture so that everybody will be able to see it.”
She hopes her picture may persuade students to visit India and that people continue to learn more about her country.
To end the week, Humber is hosting an Intercultural Development workshop on Friday that discusses the cultural diversity that exists in the community.