Students bridging multiple worlds and staying connected to their roots in a new country
Being far from home does not mean letting go of your culture the moment you settle into your plane seat. For many international students at Mt.A, this could not be more true. Many find comfort in bringing a piece of their identity with them to campus, whether it is an afrobeat playlist, a vintage reggae vinyl, a treasured kimono, or a delicious empanada recipe carefully crafted and passed down through generations. These traditions, both big and small, help students stay connected to their roots.
For many students, food is one of the strongest ties to home. Kofi Ofori-Amanfo, a fourth-year Ghanaian Mt.A student, recalls African potlucks where fellow Ghanaian students arrive with what he calls their “classic traditional jollof rice.” He recalled the familiar presence of these dishes helping to raise cultural visibility and belonging among Ghanaian students.
Mariam Khalid, a third-year Mt.A student from India enthusiastically shared how she prepares cultural meals like Paratha, a popular Indian delicacy, whenever she wants to feel closer to home. She says dishes from home are rich in flavour and made with a variety of tasty spices. Mariam also shared her excitement about trying meals from other cultures as well, saying it is one of her favourite ways to connect with new people on campus.
Language is another powerful way international students keep their cultures alive. For many, speaking their native language on campus, whether to themselves or with fellow students from the same country, offers a sense of comfort and identity. Sesame Moetse, a first-year student from Botswana recalls, “sometimes, when I’m out, I try formulating sentences in Setswana so that I do not forget.” She elaborated, explaining how she consciously makes an effort to speak her language, whether it is when she calls back home, or it is just daily affirmations she says to herself. Moetse points out that this is one of the ways she keeps her culture alive on campus, as she is determined not to lose touch with her first language. Similarly, Joseph Lunan, another first-year Mt.A student from Jamaica, often switches between English and Jamaican Patois when speaking with fellow Jamaicans on campus. He said other students are often curious, and enjoy hearing him speak, as it gives them a chance to learn more about his language and his culture.
Festivals and cultural celebrations also play a big role in helping international students stay connected to their roots. For many, these moments bring a sense of joy and community that reminds them of their homes. Madiha Waqar, a third-year student from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, shared how during Ramadan celebrations last year, Spiritual Care Mt. A organized a trip for Muslim students to go to a mosque in Moncton for prayer. She says it was very meaningful to be able to observe Ramadan in community while away from home. Additionally, Madiha expresses how she wishes more people would ask questions about her culture rather than assuming that it would be offensive to do so. For her, open conversations are a way to build understanding and make campus a more inclusive space.
[On campus, culture preservation may show up in countless ways. From the meals students cook, festivals they celebrate, music they share, clothes they wear, and the languages they speak. Each element tells a unique story about where they come from, and who they are as individuals.]
Keeping culture alive does not always mean throwing extravagant events. Sometimes, it may be in the music you listen to, the clothes you wear, the language you speak, or even the food you share with your friends. For international students at Mt. A, these small, daily choices contain a whole lot of meaning. They bring pieces of home into their daily lives and graciously share them with people around them. In doing so, they make campus not only feel global, but also genuinely connected.