Office of Public Affairs Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia B0P 1X0 (902) 585-1362 Fax (902) 585-1072 News Release For Release:  March 8, 2001

Celebrating our Cultural Diversity

(Wolfville, NS) - Acadia University doesn't just enjoy being considered one of Canada's best undergraduate universities, the campus is also proud to be home to one of the largest population of international students, with 10 per cent of the student body hailing from over 50 different countries. This may seem surprising for a small university in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, but the reason is clear; Acadia provides international students with the ideal home away from home in a safe, friendly small town environment.
"For many international students and their families the safe, friendly small town and beautiful surrounding are important," said Director of Enrolment Management Kim Meade. She adds, "It's also the personalized attention from the student's first point of contact with the University, to graduation and beyond, that draws international students to our campus."

International student Leon de Vreede of Holland fondly remembers his first few weeks of at Acadia. "Caught up in an intense whirlwind of excitement I found myself immersed in a strange culture. I had heard rumours of a picturesque land inhabited by friendly, smiling people. Having had my initial suspicions quickly confirmed I started on the immense though nuances of soaking up the culture of the Atlantic Provinces." He adds that he quickly learned that he was not alone in the quest to make Acadia his home. "Joined by fellow students from all regions of the globe, with backgrounds profoundly diverse, we found ourselves in the same boat. Strangers in a strange land, we bonded together for the simple reason that we were all different."

Established in 1997, the Wong International Centre is an exceptional resource on campus providing services and support for Acadia's international students. The Centre has a fulltime International Student Advisor who administers programs of both a social and academic nature including coordinating social functions, providing academic advisement, language training and administering a program, which matches new international students with a "buddy" to assist with the normal adjustment period upon arrival and throughout the academic year. "Continuous follow-up with students throughout the year is the key, not just when they arrive," says International Student Advisor Krista Tillmann.

"Energetic internal organizations like the Acadia Caribbean & Commonwealth Society, the Acadia Chinese Club, the Muslim Students' Association and the International Gospel Choir sponsor a stable, supportive environment, where club members become your extended family," said International Representative for Student Council Shelley Ward.  These clubs include students from many countries, with a large number from Canada.

As part of International Day celebrations Acadia will host the International Banquet 2001 "Around the World in 80 Minutes" on Saturday, March 10. Guests will enjoy an evening of food and entertainment from around the world beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the MacKeen Room, Acadia University. Tickets will be available at the door.
 
 

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For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
 
 
 

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Published by: The Office of Public Affairs Last revised: March 8, 2001 URL: http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2001/Celebrating_Cultural_DiversityMar8.html