WMU International Day, 2015

Since 1999, International Day has been an annual event and continues to be a highlight of activities at WMU.  On 8 August, over 250 people gathered together at the Henrik Smith Residence for International Day 2015. Guests included WMU staff, host families, and friends and families of the students.

In the true spirit of the United Nations, Celebration of Harmony & Diversity of Cultures was the theme for the day and the national dress, presentations, and food prepared reflected cultures from over 40 countries.

This was the first occasion for the new WMU President, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, to address the student body as a whole. She noted that with students from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe, that WMU is a “microcosm of diversity and culture which is one of the most enriching elements adding an exceptional dimension to the education experience, to learning and the building of tolerance and respect.”

She went on to thank the host families for opening their homes to the students and noted her own experiences during University when she lived with host families and in campus residences with people from a wide range of backgrounds. She remarked, “I am sure that you too will, at the end of the period of your post-graduate programme, return home enriched and energized from the cultural diversity that accompanied the educational journey.”

Aside from delicious foods from around the world, the event featured a parade of countries and included cultural presentations by representatives of China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Pakistan, Panama, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

The programme concluded with remarks by the current Student Council President, Lee Hyun from the Republic of Korea. She noted that diversity is the back bone of WMU’s strength stating, “Our diversity comes from different countries and culture, but our common heritage is human kind.”

For a full album of photos from International Day 2015, click here.