November brings international flavour to CityU

November has been dubbed InternatioNovember by the International and Non-local Students Office (INSO) of City University of Hong Kong (CityU). A month-long series of activities were undertaken to promote cultural exchanges among students from various countries.

Highlights of InternatioNovember included the International Exchange Fair 2008 and Exchange Students' Farewell Night. In addition, there were a string of country-based information sessions hosted by 12 international students who presented their home nations respectively, an Information Seminar on graduate studies in the US, and a concert by the International Students' Band. All these activities were organised by students themselves.

InternatioNovember received full support from the senior management, including Professor Way Kuo, CityU President, and

Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Acting Vice-President (Undergraduate Education). Officiating at the International Exchange Fair 2008 opening ceremony, Professor Kuo said, "I hope all exchange students will enjoy their time studying at CtiyU. When you return to your country, please introduce CityU to your friends and send them to CityU."

"It is a precious experience to be an exchange student. I hope you will keep in touch with us and some day in the future, we can meet again," said Professor Lam at the Exchange Students' Farewell Night. Among other guests attending the night's event were several countries' consulate generals, Professor Lilian Vrijmoed Kwan Lee-ping, Dean of Student Learning, Ms Helen Lam, Director of INSO, and representatives of CityU's colleges and departments.

Rosanna Lau Wing-lam, a Year 3 student in the Department of Applied Social Studies, Jennifer Theresa Daley,

a Year 1 student in the Department of Information Systems, Jeffery Ma, an exchange student from the US, and Eddie Ng Chun-yin, a Year 3 student in the Department of Economics and Finance, helped organise the activities.

Rosanna said her previous stay in the US as an exchange student had broadened her horizons, and she would like to share that experience with other exchange students and make friends with them. Both Jennifer and Jeffery indicated that, in helping with the events, they had not only learnt about different cultures but also got to see the importance of communication and cooperation.

Eddie also shared his interesting observation of exchange students. "I was surprised to find students from Western countries so enthusiastic about Cantonese songs. They were so excited when learning to sing our local tunes," said Eddie.