Students and cultures shine at RRU Global Showcase
Topics
Featured
Share online
The 13th annual Global Showcase takes place Thursday, May 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
From 11:30 a.m., the RRU community is invited to explore cultural displays and enjoy international cuisine in the Sherman Jen Building. Then, from 2 to 4 p.m., the event opens to the public with vibrant talent and fashion shows in the Dogwood Auditorium.
Admission is free, but space is limited—be sure to register in advance to save your seat.
The 13th annual Royal Roads Global Showcase returns bigger than ever this year — inviting the wider community to experience the sights, sounds and flavours that reflect the global diversity of its students.
The May 15 signature cultural event, hosted by the Royal Roads University Student Engagement team, is opening its doors to the public for the first time.
“It’s so exciting for the performers,” says Niloo Riazibeydokhti, RRU Student Engagement Assistant and one of the event organizers. “The students are thrilled to share their talents not just with the public for the first time, but also with their friends and families,” adds the Master of Arts in Tourism Management student.
“What the student engagement office does, they bring joy to the campus and they put smiles on students’ faces, it’s so joyful – the feeling that you get doing this,” says event organizer Niloo Riazibeydokhti, RRU Student Engagement Assistant.
Simran Sehgal, a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication student who will be co-hosting the event alongside students Jessi Zhang and Faezeh Bakhtiari, says while she’s looking forward to taking in the performances, it’s the community the event brings together that’s the real star of the show.
“We’re celebrating the whole globe,” says Sehgal, who calls Canada home after settling here from India eight years ago. “It’s so beautiful to see all these cultures coming together, celebrating together and getting to know somebody outside of your own zone is just incredibly beautiful.”
Since coming to Canada, this is the first time I’m getting to experience something that is so incredible,” says Simran Sehgal, a BA in Professional Communication student and event co-host. “It’s so beautiful to see all of those cultures coming together.”
More than 60 students will be taking part in this year’s event, representing 18 countries.
Dancers, singers and musicians will take to the stage, including a traditional lion dance from China, a first for the event.
Other highlights include a Peruvian Festejo dance. Festejo, deriving from the Spanish word, fiesta, is a high-energy and joyful Afro-Peruvian dance. Audiences will also be treated to a dance originating from the Azari-speaking regions of Iran and a fan dance from China.
“Working on the talent show and fashion show, I get to learn so much about each country’s music and art,” says Riazibeydokhti. “I even have some of their songs in my playlist, and I’m like, ‘why haven’t I heard this before?’ It’s a privilege to get to know so many cultures and countries and people.”
And it’s that sense of community she’s found at RRU that Riazibeydokhti says has made all the difference. As an international student from Iran and being a newcomer in Canda – opportunities to participate in events like the Global Showcase have helped her see where her skills shine.
“The experience that Royal Roads has given me has shown me that you need to be bold and loud with what you want and who you are, and you will find your place. You will find your way.”
For Sehgal, the Global Showcase is an opportunity for learning outside of the classroom.
“I want to learn more about the world,” she says. “What is everybody from their country bring to Canda? It’s a celebration for me.”