NEWS A joyful and well-attended Global Village was hosted at Umeå University aiming at celebrating cultures from all around the world. The event is organised by the Buddy Programme at Umeå University and the organisation AIESEC.
On Thursday 12 November, Global Village took place in the Lindell Hall at Umeå University as an event where cultures are celebrated through food, costumes, music and traditions. This year, international students from 16 countries were registered to display their cultures with music and food typical to their home countries.
“The event is a fantastic experience for everyone and it’s great to see so many students come together not only in representing their own countries but also in the fact that they participate with one another from all over the globe,” says Gustaf Ljungwaldh, co-ordinator of the Buddy Programme.
Emmelie Bos, Jora Ligtenberg, Dorieke Grijseels are three international students who represented the Netherlands at Global Village. Dorieke Grijseels, student in cognitive science recommends all students who come to Umeå to go to the nearby lake, light a fire and watch the spectacular Northern lights in the autumn and winter.
“Umeå is a nice place and it has made a good first impression on me as it is rather quiet and has a nice atmosphere,” says Jora Ligtenberg.
Freemover student Sandro Venetz from Switzerland chose Umeå because of its positive student satisfaction rates. He liked the climate of northern Sweden and Umeå being famous for its sports facility IKSU was another decisive point.
“Come here and make sure you take every opportunity to get into society and get in touch with new people, both locals and internationals as getting to know other cultures is so important,” says Sandro Venetz.
Laerte Romualdo Santos, an undergraduate student from Brazil came here via the Science without Borders scholarship programme to study Public Health. His objective in coming to Sweden was study improving equality in society using Sweden as a good example.
All students that were asked would like to recommend Umeå University to other international students not only because of its tranquil setting in the north of Sweden but also because of the friendliness in the atmosphere.
The Buddy Programme at Umeå University is set up as a helping hand for international students to settle in and find their way in the new country. The programme regularly organises activities and consists of buddy groups of about 8–10 buddies and 25–30 international students each. Soon applications for the Spring term will open, so keep an eye out.
Editor: Anna Lawrence