INTERNATIONAL week at the University of Huddersfield has been a resounding success.
So much so that they plan to do it all over again next year and every year after that.
The inaugural event proved so popular with students and staff that the organisers are planning on making it an annual affair. It was a project to bring out the best from many of the overseas students who make up a large chunk of the University’s intake.
One of the highlights of the week was when over 1,000 people attended the International Food Festival.
The event showcased the diversity of cuisine from around the world and a cooking contest was won by the student team from Vietnam, with Latvia coming second and Nigeria third.
Scheduled to run for over three hours, such was the popularity of the food that it lasted just 46 minutes!
The week had kicked off with International Sports Day involving over 250 students and staff. The overall winner was the ‘Nations United’ team, made up of students from 12 different countries, with the Czech Republic second and the staff team third. The event also featured a recruitment theme when University staff worked with over 25 international agents to advise potential students.
The agents were in town for four days attending a structured training event organised by the University’s International Development Manager.
The Mystery Trip on Thursday was so popular a second coach had to be laid on. Sixty international students, some with their families, spent a very British day out enjoying the attractions of Whitby in North Yorkshire and a treasure hunt.
Friday rounded off the week with a thought-provoking lecture from Christina Yan Zhang, the NUS International Students’ Officer.
She spoke of the importance of firstly UK students going abroad for some of their university education and secondly, the importance to the UK of international students studying over here.
Prof Bob Cryan, University Vice Chancellor, presented medals and certificates to all prizewinners at the formal closing ceremony.
A University spokesman said: “The University’s inaugural International Week has been a great success.
“It brought the University together and allowed it to celebrate its diversity on a range of dimensions, including culture, cuisine and nationality.”
