The Otago International Students’ Association (OISA) held a cultural expo in the Link at Otago University on Saturday, nine international student associations organising booths to maintain links with each other and share their culture with visitors.
OISA co-president Geraldi Ryan said because of the border closures due to Covid-19, cultural events such as this allowed the participants to get a small taste of home.
Visitors to the expo would learn something new about the different cultures, and understand more about the current situation for international students, he said.
"All I’m hoping is [people] listen to the stories of the committee members ... and understand why some of them feel very affected by the border closure."
It was important for international students to embrace their own cultures and showcase them to their host nation.
"[The association] helps with homesickness, like seeing a lot of people like we used to back home speaking Arabic together."
The Omani booth featured an example of a traditional Omani living room, where families would greet guests and share fruit and coffee, as well as a henna application station and Arabic calligraphy display.
The Otago Filipino Students’ Association (OFSA) booth had a karaoke machine as its centrepiece, along with Filipino snacks to entice people to sing.
OFSA vice-president Hajie Tamorite said most Filipino homes would have a karaoke machine, and students would miss singing with family and friends.
"We try to bring that experience to other people that want to learn more [about our culture], and for Filipinos to also feel that vibe again and ... feel at home."
Along with the Omani and Filipino groups, Indonesian, Indian, Japanese, Malaysian, South Korean, Vietnamese and Muslim student bodies were represented at the expo.
