A group of new international students made their first visit to a Saturday morning tradition in Fredericton last weekend – the Boyce Farmers’ Market.
Gathering early in the morning, they started their walk to the market.
Kiyoka Kunishima, a student from Japan, said the trip to the market was worth waking up early on Saturday.
“It was really a lovely day to walk,” said Kunishima. “The weather was so nice and I really enjoyed the trip.”
Kayla Brown is a third-year student at St. Thomas University and is Kunishima’s buddy.
As her buddy, Brown helps Kunishima settle in her new life in Fredericton.
“I e-mailed her during the summer to make sure she knew what was going on. It’s mainly to get her used to a new life and to have someone friendly. So if she has any questions, I can help her with them” Brown said. “Also, I try to go to many activities with her.”
Brown said the Farmer’s Market trip was a good way to get to know Fredericton.
“I think she found the whole thing interesting,” she said. “And I think walking to the market helped her get to know Fredericton better.”
The Fredericton Farmer’s Market offers fresh vegetables, meats, sweets, flowers and crafts from different cultures.
Kunishima said she had never seen a market like that before in Japan. She bought a T-shirt, a ring and lip balm, and enjoyed some sweets with fresh orange juice.
“It was crowded, but I really liked it,” she said. “I like handmade stuff, but I don’t see them often in Japan. And I saw a lot of stuff in the market that I had never seen before, so it was fun and I really enjoyed it.”
Brown also said the trip to the market was a good way to get a sense of and feel comfortable with the new place.
“I found a lot of first year students are confused and scared, so if you are coming from a different country, I thought a new life in a new place would be more confusing so I think a lot of activities are helpful to make the new international students feel at home.”
