UniMates swap chowder for chapati (Issue 9, 2009)
Local and international students at the final UniMates dinner
At the final dinner event, the members were asked to each prepare a special dish from their country and share it with everyone else. And there is nothing else that helps people enjoy their night better than a plate of good food. Variety was not something to complain about: from spicy curries and rice dishes to sausage rolls, clam chowder and kangaroo for main and Pavlova, lamingtons and apple pie for desert, there was something for everyone.
Students were split in regional teams and worked in teams to cook and although some of them didn’t have much experience, all the students had fun. At the end of the cooking process, a representative of each group spoke about the cultural and personal aspects of the dishes. It turned out to be not only a night of enjoyment, but also very educational. American students talked about the regional differences in clam chowder and the importance of apple pie and Indian students talked about the importance of cooking rice at auspicious times in the Indian calendar.
During the UniMates program, the students engaged in different activities, such as trivia nights, indoor rock climbing, an African drumming lesson, boomerang throwing and a painting session.
The program gives the international students the opportunity to interact with local or other international students and make lasting friendships from the beginning of their course. Participating students really enjoy the program and organisers receive a lot of positive feedback every semester.
The UniMates friendship program is run by La Trobe International and the Bendigo Student Association for new international students. The six-week program of activities will run again at the beginning of semester two to help the new crop of international students settle in.
