Every year, the International Student Office collaborates with the St. Thomas University International Students Association (STUISA) to bring unique experiences to the international student community.
On Oct. 19, students had the opportunity to participate in STUISA’s Fall Fest, which included adventuring into River View Orchards to pick apples from the trees, harvest fresh pumpkins and find their way out of a corn maze. The trip was followed by a pumpkin carving contest on campus.
Rigel Testas, the president of STUISA and third-year international student from Mexico, shared the importance of bringing up the spirit of international students with activities like this.
“The events we do are meant for international students to feel represented on campus,” she said. “We want to give these safe spaces for students where they can just hang out with their friends, have fun and maybe win a prize.”
In previous years these events have brought international students to King’s Landing, St. Andrews and Saint John.
Testas was happy to share that the event engagement has increased for the first time this year since the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 30 students participated in both the trip to River View and the pumpkin carving contest.
Carrie Monteith-Levesque is the International Student Office coordinator. She said that these events are about people having the opportunity to get to know New Brunswick.
“It gives us a chance to introduce international and exchange students to the beauty and the culture of N.B.,” said Monteith-Levesque.
She also said that this was probably the best time for the Fall Fest due to it coming shortly after Thanksgiving as many international students cannot afford to go home for the days off.
“I’m sure a lot of people are missing their homes and families because that’s what Thanksgiving in New Brunswick is … it’s coming together,” Monteith-Levesque said. “For those that didn’t have that, a trip like this is nice because it allows everyone to feel part of the community.”
Testas agrees with this sentiment.
“We know how difficult it is to be away from home and just feeling left out,” said Testas. “So these activities help a lot with homesickness.”
Testas said that the international community is relevant in STU since it gives students the opportunity to learn about new and different cultures in a safe, supportive environment.
International students make up 11 per cent of the student body at STU, representing 41 countries around the world.
“We want to embrace the multicultural environment that we have here,” she said. “We want everyone to be able to know a little bit more about the culture of everyone else’s home.”
STUISA, in partnership with the International Student Office and the Student Union, are looking forward to future events for international students.
Such as the Winter Warm Up, hosted on Oct. 23 to collect donated winter clothing to give away to students.
Later this semester, STUISA will also host The Wall of Flags event, a celebration that acknowledges the international community at STU by updating the flags in Sir James Dunn Hall to represent the new countries of students at the university.
“We want to make STU the home away from home for these students,” said Testas. “And these events are important to get there.”
