Global Week 2023 brings students together over fashion, culture and more
Students at the University of Huddersfield have celebrated and shared their cultures at the 2023 edition of Global Week.
It followed hot on the heels of the lunar new year festivities held to mark the start of the new year for students from China, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Malaysia and other south-east Asia countries, and saw five days of integration and friendship for students from over 100 countries at the University.
Food, music, dance, sport and games were at the heart of the five days of events on campus. Students shared the cuisine from their own countries around Student Central, while the Oastler Building hosted two sold-out events that showcased the cultures and fashions of the University’s students from around the world.
The cultural show featured music and dance from many nationalities including Nigeria, Vietnam, India, Cyprus and the UK, while the fashion show saw students take to the catwalk to show off traditional costumes. The fashion show was coordinated by event management students from the Business School as part of an assessed project that forms part of their degrees.
Business School students claimed the trophy in the World of Sports tournament, which included participants in badminton, table tennis, volleyball and basketball, while Human and Health Sciences took the Global Futsal competition.
“As a home student, getting involved in Global Week was really fun as I got to meet so many students who I never normally would socialise with," said Lydia Shires, Events Management, Business School. "At the Fashion Exchange event I learnt about traditional Sri Lankan and Japanese outfits. It was also great to volunteer at the Food and Culture event as I also witnessed traditional dances."
See how students and staff enjoyed Global Week 2023
Kavindya De Silva, MSc Project Management, Business School, added, "Global week is one the most exciting events that happens on campus. It’s the time where we get to connect with not only our culture but with many others around the world. I really enjoyed trying out the various types of food, tea, fashion and music that every culture has. As a member of the Sri Lankan Student’s society, I made new friends from different schools and through these events I believe I have become more confident, social and hospitable."
Alan Tobi, International Student Experience Manager, said that, "The success of Global Week seems to get bigger each year and it is very rewarding to see all our students engage and enjoy the range of events that the week has to offer. There is something very special about seeing our British and international students interact so well and share cultures among each other.
“These social events bring a lot of joy to the students and the campus and will help to enrich the skills of our students. I would like to personally thank all our students who made the week happen and to the staff involved who supported the activities.”