September 3, 2014

Global Highway to showcase UOW’s colourful international identity

UOW's diverse international identity will be on show tomorrow (Thursday 4 September) when the annual colourful event ‘Global Highway’ is held.

Global Highway is organised by the students living in the university residences and the University of Wollongong. It celebrates the many nationalities and diversity of students living in university accommodation.

“Students from a range of nationalities are participating this year showing the growing diversity in our residences and a real enthusiasm by them to share their cultural identity,” according to Maddison Jones, International House student and Global Highway co-ordinator.

“Global Highway is such a wonderful opportunity for all students living in residence to get together and showcase our cultures to the rest of the UOW community. We have such a diverse mix of nationalities and cultures living in the residences, and Global Highway is always a fun and informative event,” Maddison said.

“Stalls representing different nations will be set up on campus from the UniBar to the McKinnon Building, creating a festive and colourful atmosphere with music, dancing and other activities. Participants will have the chance to take part in a variety of activities at each stall.

International representation this year includes Palestine, (International House), Korea (International House), Iran (Campus East), Thailand (Campus East), Sri Lanka (Kooloobong Village and Graduate House), Malaysia (Marketview and International House), Norway (Marketview), Australia (Campus East), Ireland (Weerona), Japan (International House) and England (International House).

School children from Bombaderry High and The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGs) will be participating in Global Highway.

“This shows just how much the event has grown and it’s wonderful to see the community involvement extend outside the University,” Maddison said.

All UOW staff and students are invited to attend the event. Participants collect a Global Highway passport at the UOW Living stand, participate in the activities at each stall, and everyone who finishes the Global Highway collects a prize.

Student Residence Manager of International House and Kooloobong Village, Alison Hemsley, said Global Highway was important on two levels.

“Firstly, it allows everyone to have fun in so many different ways from around the world. Secondly, it shows how truly international the University of Wollongong and its residences have become.”

International students currently make up 34% of the residents in university student accommodation.

Note to media: Global Highway will be held on Thursday 4 September from around 10am to 2pm.

Media contact: Maddison Jones, mgh862@uowmail.edu.au, or Alison Hemsley, +61 2 4221 5255 or +61 439 697 483.