Last month, the Center for Global Engagement launched Global Café, a new initiative that will happen every second Thursday of each month at Jack’s Corner.
The purpose of the initiative is to bring together students, faculty, and staff to connect over international games, snacks, and community while learning more about each other’s backgrounds.
Associate Provost for Global Engagement, Christina Sanchez, said the Global Café is a space for people who don’t know each other to have a platform for engaging.
“It’s not just about, you know, do you have a non-US passport? All students are invited and encouraged to come together,” Sanchez said.
Sophomore and student worker at the CGE, Cristiann DiPietrantonio, helped plan this semester’s first Global Café. DiPietrantonio said the purpose of the event is to create a platform for international students and domestic students to get together.
“A lot of international students have to get used to what Americans are like, a lot of people kind of just need to broaden their global perspectives and how to communicate with other people that have varying backgrounds,” DiPietrantonio said.
Sanchez said one of the things international students often say about U.S. students is that it is hard to make connections and friendships with them, and that the work of the CGE is centered on being a catalyst to promote Cal Lutheran’s global perspectives.
Associate Professor of French and Francophone studies Sophia Khadraoui-Fortune said she is excited for the CGE’s new initiative and for everyone to share their love for global engagement, whether they are international students themselves, spent time abroad, or are passionate about cultures and people from around the world.
“Our students in French, German, and Spanish can meet people with different lived experiences and there is just no substitute for that,” Fortune said. “Learning about different perspectives, seeing the world from different lenses, allows you to not only transcend cultural differences for a true global society that learns from each of its individuals, but also helps you better understand yourself.”
DiPietrantonio said the first event was successful and a majority of people passing the event stayed for the conversation and snacks, and got excited about the trivia games offered.
“There was a graduate student working with an undergrad and playing backgammon and people were like teaching each other, it was really sweet to watch,” DiPietrantonio said.
DiPietrantonio said the event is also the perfect opportunity for a more real-world experience for U.S. students and international students to interact with one another, and acts as a baby step into meeting new people.
In addition to the Global Café being a social hour, Sanchez said the importance of exposing students to other cultures and international communities has a much greater impact than some may realize.
“When we look at ourselves and our mission at the institution and really driving factors for educating leaders of a global society, we have to be introspective first. We have to think of ourselves and who am I as a cultural being,” Sanchez said.
By having these interactions and experiences on campus, Sanchez said students gain a competitive edge in the eyes of future employers, especially companies looking for individuals who have an ability to connect interpersonally.
As a Professor in the Languages and Cultures department herself, Fortune said she knows first-hand the importance of connecting with those with international experiences and backgrounds.
Fortune said the CGE’s new initiative will further Cal Lutheran’s goal of strengthening its sense of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“We do have a diverse community on campus but it’s not enough to just have one, we need to be one, we need to make sure it’s alive and thriving,” Fortune said.
The next Global Café event is on Thursday, Oct. 12 at Jack’s Corner from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
