University of Lethbridge international culture celebrated through students at Living Library

The University of Lethbridge Library, in conjunction with International Student Services, is celebrating International Education Week by presenting the Living Library — giving everyone the opportunity to learn about international culture through the eyes of ULethbridge international students.

“This event celebrates diversity on our campus and creates an internationalization-at-home atmosphere,” says Nanda Stannard, a library operations specialist and one of the lead organizers of the event. “The essence of our Living Library event is, instead of borrowing a book you can talk to a person to learn about different countries and different cultures. When we are exposed to different cultures and languages our perspective on things broadens and helps us in understanding the world around us.”

More than 30 students representing eight different countries have volunteered to take part in the event, eager to share the culture and traditions from their home countries of Brazil, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Ukraine and Vietnam.

“Our university is privileged to have students from more than 70 countries on our campuses. The diversity and perspectives the international students bring to our campus of their global experiences, along with their eagerness to become a part of ULethbridge and the broader community are extremely enriching to all our students and southern Alberta as a whole,” says Paul Pan, director of International. “The Living library event always features an amazing collection of students from all the over world. It really gives everyone a great opportunity to learn from each other, share experiences and gain global perspectives.”

This is the eighth year the library has presented the event and as ULethbridge continues to prioritize increasing international student enrolment, it only promises to grow with the influx of new students and new cultures.