To enrich the campus life of international students, the Faculty of International Tourism and Management (FITM) at City University of Macau (CityU) recently held the “International Students and FITM Buddies Gathering” at Taipa campus. Under the theme global connections and friendship, the event aimed to help them explore self-discovery, familiarize themselves with the campus, and build connection with peers and faculty. This event successfully enabled international students to blend into CityU and begin their academic journey with fruitful outcomes.
During the activity, Prof. Li Xi, FITM executive associate dean, expressed warm greetings to the students and introduced the Faculty’s development history and educational features. He emphasized that FITM is an open, inclusive, diverse and integrated platform, welcoming all international students to join. He encouraged everyone to support each other and grow together in their academic pursuit and daily life, working hand in hand to write a remarkable chapter of their lives.
Later, students participated in a series of fun and lighthearted ice-breaking games. They created distinctive self-portraits and enthusiastically shared interesting stories and personal experience. Students interacted actively and shared freely, letting the venue filled with ever-lasting laughter and lively conversations during two rounds of ice-breaking activities. It is hope that international students can make beautiful and memorable unique friendship through this event at CityU.
Voices from CityU students
"I really appreciated the Faculty for organizing this event, which made me realize campus life is more that studying. It also includes the support and assistance from senior students, as well as the care and guidance from dean and our professors. Even though i am far from my home country, i have never felt like an outsider here," says Lee Zhong Yi from Malaysia.
"The International Students and FITM Buddies Gathering was a wonderful event that brought together students from many different countries and years of study. It was a great opportunity to connect, share our interests and experiences, and meet many fascinating people. Thank you to all the teachers and student organizers for this amazing event. We can't wait for the next gathering!" says Daria Seliverstova from Russia.
"The International Students and FITM Buddies Gathering left me a deeply unforgettable experience. Meeting peers from Russia, Timor-Leste, and across the globe truly made me feel the world’s diversity. Through a series of interesting and engaging ice-breaking games led by senior students and faculty, we got to know each other’s names and hometowns amidst laughter and conversation, and even shared our unique personal experience. In just hours, we broke awkwardness and built genuine connections. It reminded me that despite our different cultures, smiles and kindness are a universal language. This makes me truly look forward to my university life, believing that i can build more globe friendship and grow together at CityU, a warm community," says Lam Hong Yi from Malaysia.
"Thank you very much for inviting me to be part of this activity. l am very interested in this activity and very happy because l can meet international student friends, especially mainland Chinese friends, l hope we can have fun playing games together in future activities and invite more international student friends," says Yolanda Fatima Nita Da Costa Freitas from Timor-Leste.
Source: Faculty of International Tourism and Management
