News

International Student Club: A Sweet Connection

Published on 8 March 2017

Students from five countries have gathered at UIC this semester in order to experience a new culture, lifestyle and part of the world. The International Development Office (IDO) is helping to ensure a smooth transition for those studying in China through the newly created International Student Club (ISC). The aim of the ISC is to help students acclimate to their new environment and gives them a taste of local culture through outings, concerts, and participation in cultural activities.

At Nanshan Mountain. (L to R) JP Lindquist (2nd year from Concordia College, Minnesota, USA), Tony Dinh (intern from Minnesota, USA), HoYeon Choi (3rd year from the University of Seoul in Seoul, South Korea), Keziah O’Hare (3rd year from Swansea University in Swansea, Wales, UK), Jeongeun Sun (4th year from Chungbuk University in Cheongju, South Korea), Vinay Joshi (3rd year from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, UK), Suhan Woo (4th year from Chungbuk University in Cheongju, South Korea)

Tony Dinh, an intern for IDO and the English Language Centre as well as president of the ISC, first visited UIC three years ago as an exchange student. When he arrived, there was no such a club or group geared primarily towards international students. Therefore, when Tony returned as an intern, he worked with International Student Coordinator Jessica Xiao to form the ISC in October 2016. Since then, exchange students have been able to participate in six cultural outings, including Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, the New Summer Palace, and a traditional tea ceremony.

“The primary focus of the club is to connect international students and their Chinese roommates,” Tony said. “We’re starting small for now, since this is the first year.”

At New Summer Palace. (L to R) Rowan Mccaffery (2nd year from Swansea University in Swansea, Wales, UK), Jeongeun Sun (4th year from Chungbuk University in Cheongju, South Korea)

Salih Yuce, an international student from Paris, France is spending the whole school year at UIC to study public administration. Salih has participated in many ISC events and has travelled around Asia on his own as well. He hopes that he can continue to make Chinese friends through the club’s activities both small and large, but he also hopes that the club can organise smaller events and meetings, not necessarily needing to venture off campus.

“I think it is better to meet Chinese students and often of course,” Salih said. “[We do] not need to go far, just on the campus...to talk to Chinese students. It is what we, foreigners, need.”

Picnicking in Haibin Park last October

Tony Dinh also hopes that the club will facilitate friendships between Chinese students and international students, as well as encouraging international students to bring a few of their Chinese friends along as space permits, but aims to keep the focus on international students.

“Some activities might not be as engaging to local students,” Tony said. “We do some activities like tea ceremonies or Chinese amusement parks that local students have probably done many times, but these are new things to international students.”

Exploring at the New Summer Palace. (L to R) Jeongeun Sun, Jenna Zho (UIC student), Keziah O’Hare

Chuqi Zhao, a third year studying International Journalism, has participated in a few events organised by the ISC because of her connections with IDO. Chuqi has served as a student helper in IDO and has taught skills such as Photoshop in InDesign.

“If I was an international student, I would want to get to know local students,” Chuqi said. “Our teachers also encourage us to include the international students and make them feel welcome.”

Chuqi enjoys interacting with the international students, and hopes that more local students will engage with them as well, whether in class, through clubs such as the ISC, or even just around campus.

“I do not think many students know about the club,” Chuqi said. “Even though students here are busy, I think it is a good way to get to know each other.”