Lethbridge College is proud to showcase the many different cultures and backgrounds that make up its diverse campus. Musicians, dancers, artisans and community organizations will all come together from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow to celebrate that diversity at the annual Bridging Cultures event.
The event has expanded into the Val Matteotti Gymnasium this year to allow for more room for the many performers, exhibitors and food vendors. The event is open to all students and employees of Lethbridge College, as well as members of the general public. Food tickets are now sold out, but all are welcome to enjoy the entertainment, culture and displays that make up Bridging Cultures.
Those attending can sample foods from five different continents, while exploring a variety of exhibits and enjoying a wide range of performances. This year’s performers include Juno-nominated singer-songwriter and Lethbridge College alumnus Armond Duck Chief; the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club; the Kung Fu Academy; percussionist Joe Porter; students Sumalee Thongngern and Ahmad Farawan; and a special presentation by college employees.
Some of the exhibitors who will have displays include the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge, Bridges of Hope, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, the Islamic Dawah Centre and Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden, to name a few.
“We are proud of Lethbridge College’s role as a hub for bringing students from around the world to our city,” says Taku Nishimatsu, international activities assistant at Lethbridge College. “We want to celebrate all of the different backgrounds and cultures that make the college such a unique place, where everyone feels welcome.
Lethbridge College welcomes close to 250 international students to campus each year among the more than 4,500 full-time students on campus. These students come from over 50 different countries around the globe, including Japan, South Korea, Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, Philippines and the United States. International students enrol in the college’s English as a Second Language program as well as the college’s more than 50 certificate, diploma, apprenticeship and applied degree programs. These international students have the opportunity to pursue their academic goals while having a rich cultural experience in Canada. In return, they help the college’s Canadian students understand more about being a member of a global community and make the campus a richer, more diverse place.
More information on international student opportunities is available on the Lethbridge College website.