Making those connections between students is important as the Lethbridge College International Services and Kodiaks Athletics hosted an intercultural night at the men’s and women’s basketball games on Friday.
International Service student advisor, Karis Pauly said one of the main reasons for the event was they wanted to make that connection between the athletics and international departments at the college.
“Sometimes the international students aren’t aware of the resources and the fun free events that are on campus, so we’ve teamed up with athletics to try and recruit and encourage the international students, the FMNI students and our ESL students to attend the game,” said Pauly.
The International services at the college encompasses both the international and english as a second language (ESL) students as well as the FMNI students, and the organization tries to bridge that gap between different cultures by having different events, such as hosting an intercultural pizza lunch.
Teaming up with Kodiaks also informs other people around the college about the international services and what they do for students that attend the college.
“They make up a big part of our overall student population and they come from all different kinds of cultural backgrounds, countries and religions and they are such a valuable part and addition to the overall student population.”
Before the event the men’s basketball team talked to all of the ESL classes to promote the game and interact with them.
“It’s a great chance to recognize all of the international students we have here, it’s a very strong group… I just think it’s also good to get them out here and let them see what we can do on the court for them for entertainment,” said athletics manager, Avery Harrison.
Harrison believes that the event was beneficial for the athletes as well.
“So often athletes kind of enter their own world at the college level and don’t ever integrate into the rest of the population of students and I think we are really trying to push that and make people aware of that get us out there and be part of the college.”
During half time of both games there was some in intercultural entertainment as during the Women’s game a Nepaules dance was performed by grade 6/7 students from Wilson middle school, and during the men’s game a hoop dance was performed by sisters Maria and Julie Lamouche.
The intercultural services and Kodiak athletics both believe the event is a great way to promote both organizations with in the college inspiring team spirit as well as bring students together.
This is the first time that Kodiaks and International services and teamed up and they are hoping to host an event at least once a semester or year.