The International Education and Partnerships (IEP) Directorate at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted a vibrant workshop at the Hotel School, Ritson Campus, bringing together international and local students for cultural exchange and learning.
The session was facilitated by Ms Cleopatra Matli, Marketing and Retail Lecturer, and explored ways to navigate cultural differences, share traditions, and build global awareness. Matli extended her gratitude for being part of the workshop for the first time. She emphasised how vital these engagements were for students in terms of addressing cultural differences and would also assist them when visiting other countries.
Matli said that such initiatives are vital for students to share ideas, perceptions and cultures in terms of the music, food, behaviour to learn more about other countries. She added that it is not only about cultures, but for the internationalisation purposes that will see DUT students in the global market.
She further explained that this proves that it can be done even without students leaving home, they will still get the sense of how to live in other countries and be competitive. She believes that this can broaden their horizon and motivate them to go for global opportunities not just European countries but in Africa as well.
During the workshop students were tasked in small groups and engaged in activities that allowed them to know each other and learn about different cultures.
Among questions asked included important cultural traditions or celebrations in their communities. Unique aspects of your culture’s cuisine or music. One common thing that their culture or country is known for. The cultural taboos or etiquette rules that may surprise people from other cultures.
One of the students Fadzai Nathalie from Zimbabwe enrolled in Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering who attended this workshop the first time, indicated that it was nice to learning other cultures especially realising how close are they to ours as well.
Ms Carol Newman from the IEP Directorate thanked Ms. Cleopatra Matli, the workshop facilitator, for her invaluable contribution and for creating an engaging and enriching experience. Ms. Newman thanked the students for availing themselves for the workshop and encouraged them to always be open minded about learning other cultures.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Vukani Langa
