Delicacies, artefacts and customs were showcased at an event designed to celebrate cultures from all four corners of the world.
Royal Leamington Spa College’s International Fair featured stands exhibiting the practices, history, geography and, in some cases, cuisines of 29 different countries.
The stands were manned by present and past college students, staff and visitors from each of the corresponding countries.
Carlos Rodriguez, the college’s International Academic Manager for English Language Teaching (ELT), said the main focus was to share with attendees the cultures of many nations across the globe, to celebrate diversity and promote tolerance.
“It gave our students and staff an opportunity to present and represent their countries,” said Carlos, who helped in hosting the Spain stand, in respect of his own family roots.
“To educate and to share cultural knowledge. That very much underlined the event.
“It gave some of our international students a chance to practise their English. It was also a way for our international students to make friends with some of their English counterparts.
“The international students were quite touched by the level of interest shown by the British students who stopped to try their food and ask questions about their country.
Svitlana Mishenina, proud Ukrainian and student of Royal Leamington Spa College, part of WCG (Warwickshire College Group), helped to host the Ukraine stand.
“It was beneficial for me as I had a chance to get acquainted with the culture, customs, food and historical events of 28 other countries,” Svitlana said. “As well, I could present the main ideas and spectacular places of my native area and also make friends.”
Along with the International Department at Royal Leamington Spa College, the ‘inclusive and vibrant’ event was co-hosted and showcased by catering students from the college bistro and kitchen, the supported learning students and their support mentors.
The International Society, an activity-based club that aims to integrate international and home students at the college, was also showcased at the event.
Student Mohammed, who hosted the Sudan stand in respect of his ancestry, initially felt nervous, but was soon reassured by the interest in his display.
“Once people started coming to my table, I felt ok,” he said. “When I looked around, I learned about a lot of countries, for example Turkey, North Macedonia and China.
“I hope people learned from my stall, from my table and about my country.”
Some of the hosts even performed songs and dances to best illustrate the heritage of their homeland.
Mr Rodriguez, who teaches English language and IELTS to international students, hopes the ‘cultural market’ will continue to grow and become a firm fixture on the college’s events calendar.
“It’s an event we’d probably like to do every year,” he said. “It just shows the diversity within the college.
“A lot of people wanted to showcase their countries this year, but they couldn’t so we might have had an even bigger number.
“Inviting former students enables us to keep a link with them and I think that’s really important. It was a very enjoyable event and the feedback has been really good.”
To find out more about courses at Royal Leamington Spa College visit www.wcg.ac.uk/study