Overseas students building Indigenous community links

Jul 06, 2007

The University of Wollongong's international students are building cultural links with the region's Indigenous community.

UOW's Illawarra Committee for International Students (ICIS) has organised a weekly cultural exchange program with the Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

Every week ICIS sends selected international students to visit the Cultural Centre in Kenny St, Wollongong as part of a program to promote cross-cultural understanding and social activities.

The students have enjoyed didgeridoo performance and explanations about Aboriginal hunting instruments, while next Wednesday (11 July) they will reciprocate with a demonstration of Chinese cooking at the Cultural Centre.

ICIS co-ordinator Komal Chen said the visits were an important way of building up cultural awareness for overseas students studying in Wollongong.

"It's good to for overseas students to learn about indigenous Australians, and for us to be able to tell Aboriginal people about the countries we come from," Ms Chen said.

She said ICIS planned to invite Aboriginal musicians and dancers to the campus for a performance.

Meanwhile, ICIS is planning a major Chinese festival on 14 August, during International Week. The festival, to be held on the stage at the Duck Pond lawn, will include demonstrations of traditional Chinese dancing from different regions, Chinese games and Taiji performances.

*ICIS is an organisation funded by UOW to provide assistance and support to international students and to enrich their time at university. Activities include English conversation classes, day trips, bushwalks and other activities.

ICIS also provides financial advice on issues such as renting properties, buying vehicles and fair trading legislation. Another important activity is the International Friendship Program, which links international students with members of the Wollongong community for the purpose of cross-cultural friendship.