Monash College magazine - Edition 1 Edition 1 | Page 8

M C Celebrating diversity Each year, Monash College welcomes students from more than 100 countries to its two Melbourne campuses. These students arrive in Australia ready to receive a world-class education while preparing for future success at Monash University and beyond. Their backgrounds may differ but these students all have two things in common: a desire to learn and a truly global outlook. Enter any Monash College classroom and you will see students from all over the world working and learning together. These students are defining the edge that will set them apart when they enter the workforce. They understand that an ability to learn from and work within different cultures will continue to play an important role in future workplaces. Students are also encouraged to learn more about each other. The College hosts a calendar of diversity events designed to allow students to celebrate events that are important to them, but also to share these events with the wider College community. M C “As a Monash College student, you get to know so many people from other countries you didn’t even know existed,” says Gursimran Singh Cheema, a Monash University Foundation Year Student from India. “You come to learn so much about different parts of the world – either through your friends or people you meet.” In 2015, students have participated in multiple activities designed to celebrate diversity and to get everyone involved. This world view has formed an essential part of the Monash College approach to teaching and learning for more than 20 years. “The students really love our calendar of events,” says student support coordinator Utako Eldridge. From the moment students arrive they are encouraged to learn more about Australian culture. They enjoy social programs that include traditional Australian activities. They practise their English with locals and they make friends with Australian students. “It’s a chance to showcase and celebrate different cultures, but also to have fun and make connections. The staff also really enjoy the activities – it’s great seeing what’s so great about multicultural Melbourne being reflected here at Monash College on a daily basis.” 6 7 A selection of some of the events celebrated in 2015 APR Easter FEB The social side to Easter was celebrated when our student leaders put on bunny ears to deliver chocolate Easter eggs to students and teachers. Lunar New Year This popular event featured Chinese dragons dancing at Clayton Campus. Aussie BBQ As part of our orientation activities, new students enjoy a traditional Aussie BBQ – the first of many! You haven’t experienced the real Australia until you have attended a traditional Australian BBQ – complete with sausage in bread. Summer is a great time at both of our campuses. MAR Australian Indigenous culture Students learned about Australian Indigenous culture first-hand at a special cultural day at Clayton. Harmony Day Harmony Day provides a great way to learn about the cultures of others. MAY Spirit donations Monash College students came together in May to create spirit donations for Nepal earthquake victims. They made paper cranes to raise money for the important relief effort. JUL Eid Festival AUG Africa celebration, Federation Square Our Foundation Year music students had the opportunity to sing with students from all around Victoria in the Boite Schools Chorus. The group promotes understanding of cultural music from around the world, and this year featured songs from Senegal and South Africa. SEP R U OK? Day Each year, Monash College students come together to celebrate R U OK? Day. This is a national event where students are encouraged to check in on their friends and families and ask – R U OK? Students participated in henna painting to celebrate Eid Festival at the Melbourne City campus. DEC Japanese Summer Festival Wishes were hung on trees for the Japanese star festival (Tanabata) at our Japanese Summer Festival. English language and Foundation Year students also wore traditional Japanese outfits to celebrate. Christmas Students come together and participate in a ‘Kris Kringle’, where a student is randomly assigned a person to whom they anonymously give a gift.