Juliet Huang | juliethuang@nus.edu.sg
the ridge news
A NUSSU Publication
Jan. 29, 2008
To get snippets of cultural information, the best place to head down to these days would be the central forum.
In-Fusion 2008, an international fiesta promoting inter-cultural understandings will be launched on Jan. 30 at the forum with a whole array of activities lined up.
Reza Shah Mohd Anwar, head of International Student Service (Office of Student Affairs), said in an email interview: “Apart from showcasing the diverse cultures and talents through this multi-cultural event, we aim to encourage greater integration and cross-cultural exchanges among members of the NUS community through a series of programmes and activities.”
According to him, “collaborative efforts from local and international students as well as staff members” are needed.
Many of these activities involves food. Highlights include Taste the World, a culinary feast featuring local delights of foreign origins and a bazaar selling ethnic knick-knacks will be held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.
Apart from booths showcasing various cultures, there will also be an International Games Day for those who prefer cultural interactions hands-on. Cultural performances and movie screenings top off the buffet of events.
Olivia Chang, a second-year arts and social sciences undergraduate, said, “I know a few exchange students, but have never had the chance to really experience their culture.
“There’s this gap between us,” she said.
It is this gap that In-Fusion 2008 set to bridge.
It does remain to be seen if participation by local students will be enthusiastic enough. Right now, it seems like many do not want to engage in such activities apart from academia, hence missing out on interaction with our peers on exchange.
An informal online poll among 20 NUS undergraduates from various faculties drew blanks on the topic of In-Fusion.
“I don’t see the point of such activities, because I can just talk to them and interact with them on my own, said second-year engineering student Terence Goh.
“Rushing to and from school, I won’t normally be bothered to participate in the fairs held at the forum,” Goh added.
Reza said that he hoped In-fusion 2008 will reach out to about 7,000 local and international students through the series of programmes and activities lined up.
[...] In-fusion seeks to bridge gaps [...]
A few days celebrating diversity cannot make up for the other 364 privately condemning it.
People should have attended the International Students’ Night where a loud raucus was created by some members of the audience during the performances of students of other countries.
But I’m glad at least our university tries.