Your New Thursday Tradition: Exploring Global Café at IGAB
Written by: Victoria Lam, 2nd Year Chemistry
Photo by: Western International
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met a student who didn’t appreciate some entertaining games, lively conversation, and free food - so, Mustangs, allow me to introduce you to your new favourite campus event! Western International’s Global Café features all of these things and much more. Open to international, Canadian and exchange students alike, the Global Café brings together students from all programs, faculties, and places around the world every Thursday afternoon. Read below for all the juicy details.
What to Expect at Global Café
In the spirit of good old boots-on-the-ground journalism, I decided to attend the Global Café myself to prepare for this blog - and I definitely don’t regret it! Upon entering the International and Graduate Affairs building atrium where the Café is hosted, I was asked to scan my Western ONECard, so be sure to bring that with you. I found that the comfortable, scenic atrium provides the perfect atmosphere to relax, chat and unwind. It’s also the perfect space to enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks while joining in on fun activities. These activities include playing cards and board games, table tennis, and a main activity that varies weekly, such as bracelet-making, trivia, or karaoke.
Past fun and games at the Global Café.
The Global Café often celebrates holidays and commemorative history months, whether they’re hosting pumpkin carving for Halloween, beadworking for Indigenous Heritage Month, or diya painting for Diwali. The Café also regularly collaborates with other campus clubs you may know of, such as the Japanese Students Association, Paper Art Club, and SALSA. These collaborations increase both the fun and number of attendees, making the Café a great place to bring friends and meet new ones. The week I joined, which was in collaboration with the Science Student’s Council (SSC), we made creative, inspiring vision boards with magazine cutouts and plenty of adorable stickers. The SSC also ran a Slido game that shared resume-writing tips and hosted booths where professionals offered career guidance across different fields.
More Than Just Games and Snacks
I had the opportunity to talk to Wajd, an MSc in Biochemistry student and Western International Ambassador who helps facilitate the Global Café. She emphasized how impactful the Café experience can be for international and graduate students who aren’t exposed to much on-campus life outside of their studies - it provides a lighthearted, open space to consistently socialize with speakers of one’s native languages, practice English skills with others, and make lasting connections. Her favourite part of the Café is seeing its weekly themes bring exciting cross-cultural experiences and new faces that turn into regular ones. Wajd herself met some of her best friends at the Café, and she says that meeting them may have been aided by the fact that “we constantly have to value communication in a space like [the Global Café]. [...] We are constantly talking; we constantly have that inclusiveness, and [we are] getting to know people; getting to bond; getting to understand how people think.”
The Global Café runs every Thursday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the International and Graduate Affairs Building atrium. I’d highly encourage everyone to give it a visit - you might even see me there! Check out the Western International website, Instagram page or the Western Events Calender to learn even more and get updates!
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