In its continuing effort to bring UWindsor faculty and staff a better understanding of cultures around the world, the International Student Centre is offering a new round of the ISC Culture Series in Fall 2021 and Winter 2022.

“The purpose is to engage our campus community in learning more about the cultures of the students who are most prominent here,” says ISC director Beth Oakley.

The presentations will explore customs, cuisine, geography, and more to assist in offering support to international students.

Students who have picked Windsor over other global institutions merit a high level of support, says program co-ordinator Romi Saraswat, international student advising consultant.

“Only when we have an enhanced understanding of their cultures, which reflects in their behaviour and mannerisms, can we form proper connections with these valued members of our community,” she says.

The series was previously offered as “brown bag lunch” in-person sessions; it will now be conducted as one-hour noontime webinars on Microsoft Teams.

The Fall 2021 schedule includes presentations on:

• India, Wednesday, Nov. 10, presenter Romi Saraswat
• Middle East Region, Wednesday, Dec. 1, presenter Amal Jammali

Winter 2022 sessions will include presentations on China, Indigenous cultures, Vietnam, and Nigeria, with dates and presenters to be announced later.

Sign up to express interest and receive an email reminder.

The centre has also produced support materials for staff and faculty, including a handbook for incoming international students, tips on understanding their experiences, and a guide to providing them with support outside of the classroom.