Glocal Passport and Plate raised awareness surrounding the diverse offering that the Illawarra region has on offer, as well as increasing awareness of existing support services and engagement activities for internationals students both on and off campus.
2019-2020
The project hosted a series of evening events enhancing connection between campus community and the city. Events were based around creating social activities and connections for international students, and exposing students to different venues and spaces in the community; partnering with community and commercial organisations, social enterprises, and Wollongong City Council (WCC). Events were suitable for family, single and couple engagement with 10 planned events (exploring food, art or culture) of which 7 occurred; promoting social inclusion in relaxed venues on and off campus.
Sharing culture through games, food, art and music creates an infusion of rich local and global community creating belonging and connection - our Peer program of International Student Ambassadors (ISAs) will be key to coordinating and supporting events.
Launching at WCC’s Viva La Gong (November 2019), an arts and community festival, to engage and promote to community and existing international students over summer. February to May saw the program further established with two activities per month, alternating between Wollongong CBD and Community.
Glocal Passport and Plate raised awareness surrounding the diverse offering that the Illawarra region has on offer, as well as increasing awareness of existing support services and engagement activities for internationals students both on and off campus. While focusing on infusing community capacity, and despite the complications surrounding COVID-19 and its impact on scheduled events,
Glocal Passport and Plate has been effective in extending networks through targeted meaningful collaboration – identifying local opportunities and methods to enhance international student experience and increase their capacity to build connections and develop their sense of belonging.
The international student cohort at UOW is diverse, representing over 100 nationalities and cultures. A significant proportion of UOW International students currently come from India, China, Nepal, and populous cities with access to diverse nightlife culture. Currently Wollongong nightlife has a vibrant club and small bar scene (predominantly based around alcohol-consuming activity) which can be limiting to families and non-drinkers.
Wollongong is a regional town, population nearly 300,000 with many nationalities, cultures, and local businesses that reflect the demographic. International students at UOW have identified settling and transition challenges including the quietness of city particularly after evening (compared to home cities); lack of student friendly activities in the evening; safety concern utilising public transport at night; limited opportunity to meet others, particularly outside of one’s cultural group; not knowing where to go in town and not having anyone to go with.
Facilitating regular social event addresses logistical constraints and social ‘awkwardness’ for students. Event series launch at Viva La Gong creates exposure amongst locals and international students. Social connections are made early; exposure and familiarity with local environment i.e. Wollongong; exposure to ISA’s and International Student Programs (ISP) early to enable future contact and support.
International students need to feel connected, ‘trust’ and feel integrated into UOW and wider community before they can begin to know and access more specific support services. This series lays the foundation for those connections to be made.
Thank you very much for providing us a lot of opportunities to interact with people coming from all over the world.
"Thank you very much for providing us a lot of opportunities to interact with people coming from all over the world."
"Thanks for making me and many more international students feel comfortable and welcomed."'
"Wollongong is a beautiful place, the people, the environment, culture is simply amazing."
"Everything is really nice. The environment is really nice and green, which I love. The people are really friendly."
"Through time I've adapted and enjoying the lifestyle that I don't think I can go back to a rushed urban life. I'm glad I had that change of perspective living here."
