www.theotherpress.ca News. Douglas celebrates International Day Walk the ‘World in 80 Steps By Glauce Fleury, Contributor he New Westminster campus will turn into a small piece of the world on January 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p-m., when Douglas College celebrates International Day. More than 20 countries will be represented by cultural booths, on display in the concourse. At David Lam campus, the event will be held on Thursday. The main purpose of the day is not to be an exhibition, but an interaction among all students— domestic and international. “The multiple booths will allow students to get together, having lots of dialogues and sharing their beliefs and values,’ says Scott Fraser-Dauphinee, the Campus Life coordinator. This is the third International Day promoted by Douglas College. This year the theme is “Around the World in 80 Steps,” so the students are invited to embark on a journey around the world by engaging with the wealth of cultures represented in the student body’s ethnic makeup and background. Despite being in charge of the International Office and the Centre for Campus Life & Athletics, the event is mainly run by students—more than 100 volunteers will be working on this event. According to Mehrnaz Kobari, International Student Advisor, the college oo encourages all students to get involved. “All of our students come from various backgrounds or ancestries and they are all encouraged to participate,” she says. “This is a special day to celebrate, share, and learn about the diversity we have here.” Besides the cultural booths, International Day will have presentations and performances at both campuses from 12 p-m. to 1:30 p.m. The activities include music from Scotland and Africa and dance from India, Africa, Mexico, and the Middle East. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the students will be able to visit the Coffee & Tea House and sample flavours from China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, and Mexico. “We don’t want to just make people drink, but learn why these beverages are relevant for their cultures,” says Fraser-Dauphinee. Students from these countries will be preparing the coffee and tea and talking to other students. Get involved! Countries represented by the booths: Afghanistan, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Fiji, France, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam. Coffee & Tea House: Atole (Mexico), Cardamom tea (Iraq), Colombian coffee, Indian chai, Kenyan coffee, Matcha tea (Japan), Oolong Tea (China), and Sariwangi tea (Indonesia). AGENDA January 29 — New Westminster Campus Cultural booths From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coffee and Tea House From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Performances 12:00 p.m. - Bagpipes with Kyle Baillie (Scotland) 12:05 p.m. - Bhangra dance (India) 12:15 p.m. - Mexican folklore dance 12:25 p.m. - Bellydance (Middle East) 12:30 p.m. - Kesseke by Yeo and Chris — Kutapira Band (Ivory Coast) 1:00 p.m. - Tshimanga Mujinga Dance Group (Congo) January 31 — David Lam Campus Cultural booths From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coffee and Tea House From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Performances 12:00 p.m. - Bhangra Dance (India) 12:10 p.m. - Vancouver Chinese Lion Dance 12:30 p.m. - Kesseke Yeo and Chris — Kutapira Band (Ivory Coast) 1:00 p.m. - Tshimanga Mujinga Dance Group (Congo) Marketplace supports bursary funds Money raised from marketplace to fund alumni studies By Dylan Hackett, News Editor ast week, students bought candles, jewelry, kitchenware, scarves and other accessories in support of the Douglas College Alumni Association’s quarterly marketplace event. A wide array of vendors rented space from the Alumni Association in the New Westminster concourse and the David Lam atrium. The money raised for table rental, generally $4,500-$5,000 annually, goes towards the alumni bursary, a useful but lesser known fund for Douglas alumni continuing their education elsewhere. Douglas qualifications for alumni status consist of students who have completed 45 credits or more with the college. “It’s all about engaging with students and employees and bringing a bit of life to the concourse,” explained Andrew Senjack, alumni relations coordinator. “It’s a nice fundraiser for us.” The annual career fair predates even the David Lam campus and is running for the 23rd year. The career fair is the primary fundraising vehicle for the Alumni Association, generating between $6,000 and $7,000 a year. “The majority of the [career fair] money will go to the alumni, and we have money that goes towards gift cards for our volunteers,” said Senjack. The main purpose of the alumni association is the distribution of its bursary. Around $10,000- $12,000 goes to alumni, and is distributed three times a year—a 1, June 1, and October 1. The bursary is for students looking to come back to Douglas College, university transfer students, or graduate school applicants looking to fund the often expensive master’s degree. “I have people who graduated 20 years ago and decided to go back to school. Because it is a bursary [distribution] is heavily influenced by community involvement,” explained Senjack. “If you've volunteered in the community you can apply for the bursary. The alumni association is building relations with young students with the events we do. Last year we did the fall fair at the David Lam campus, a community event for families.” Another service provided by the alumni association is the Photo courtesy of Glauce Fleury distribution of alumni cards— electronic cards that function like student IDs, giving access to the library and fitness facilities for free. The card also grants alumni student prices at Douglas Theatre Program productions. The March 4 and 6 career fair will give students face-to- face access to employment representatives from BC Hydro, the RCMP, Paladin Security, Sunlife Financial, the RBC, and 19 other businesses looking to hire both students and alumni. Students looking to volunteer at the career fair are urged to email Senjack at alumni@ douglascollege.ca.