The third weekend of September promises to be an exciting one, according to Muzaffar Igamberdiev, one of the organizers of the UT International Weekend 2004.
On September 24 between 4 and 7 pm, let it all hang out in the Bastille Union Bar at an International `borrel', slated to be a meet-and-greet social for both Dutch and international students and staff, which will also feature a knowledge quiz. The following day, on September 25, dig in to a gamut of different cuisines at the International Food Festival between 6 and 10 pm in the Bastille Atrium. And, as if that were not enough fun, SMIT is throwing a party which kicks off at 11 pm.
PITS (Platform Internationalization Twente Student organizations) is organizing this weekend event. Students will get a chance to familiarize themselves with the different international organizations active within PITS. The aim of the weekend, states Igamberdiev, Master's student in Telematics, from Uzbekistan, is to promote mutual understanding, globalization, cultural exchange, integration and internationalization between Dutch and international students, especially the new Bachelor's and Master's students. `The process of integration is rendered easy with food in the picture,' he says.
`There is definitely a gap in the interaction between Dutch and international students,' he asserts. As a student himself, Igamberdiev confirms this gap from first-hand experience For instance, initially he found it difficult to relate to the Dutch sense of humor, a phenomenon that was mutual among his Dutch friends. `I had to tell them where they were supposed to laugh when I told them a joke. Such differences can be overcome only if one makes a conscious effort to socialize and to display a willingness to understand the native ethos and share one's own culture.' Igamberdiev has had some degree of success in bridging this gap. However, he has some friends (Master's students) who do not interact with their Dutch counterparts at all. `Maybe they are shy or even scared to express themselves, although they interact freely with other international students.'
Another International Weekend organizer, Xu Weiwei, a Master's student in Telematics from China, offers another stumbling block that hinders interaction: the language. She claims that even if a foreign student does decide to learn Dutch, ROC is the only institution which offers inexpensive courses and, to make matters worse, the waiting list for admission is simply too long. `I registered last October and I am still waiting to be admitted. However, most Dutch students do speak English and I wonder why they do not take the initiative.' With this, Igamberdiev seizes the moment, earnestly reiterating the goals of the International Weekend, `There seems to be some kind of hesitation on both sides and hence there needs to a platform for them to get to know each other. It is important to the UT because such interactions will only enhance students' experience of living and studying here.'
Addressing the issue of why the event, hitherto known as International Week, has been shortened to International Weekend, Igamberdiev cites `lack of funds' as the main problem. Considering that last year's response was rather lukewarm, is this year expected to be more successful? `We certainly hope so ... there are many more students interested in having food stalls this year.'
Full of enthusiasm, Igamberdiev and his colleagues expect International Weekend 2004 to be a thundering success and establish it as a must-do in every student's personal agenda.
For more information on the International Weekend visit www.pits.utwente.nl
