OUR welcomes international students
Date Posted: September 20, 2019 at 09:37 AM
Filipino hospitality warmed the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan as the University, led by the Office for University Relations (OUR), held the annual welcome celebration for international students last September 14.
Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim, CM, University President, Fr. Rafael K. Eloriaga, CM, VP for Financial Affairs and Sr. Maruja S. Padre Juan, MSCS, OUR Director, opened the festivities with each giving their welcome remarks, while Fr. Andrew S. Bayal, CM, VP for Student Affairs, led the induction of new officers for the International Students’ Association of Adamson University (ISAAD).
US Embassy Consul Anne Claire Andaya-Nauts delivered the Keynote Speech themed Hospitality and Peace, representing Consul General Russel Brown.
“The world has been more interconnected today than in the past. With modern technology, students can learn about the world through the internet but people to people ties matter today more than ever and remain the only way for the true understanding of each other’s cultures,” Consul Andaya-Nauts said, citing the importance of culture-sharing and people facilitation.
The US Consul also highlighted the significance of awareness and respect of cultural differences as “today’s students will be global citizens” who will be responsible for nation-building in the future.
Consul General ad Honorem Michael Alexander Ang from the Consulate of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan also lauded Filipino hospitality which he said makes the stay in the country easier for international students.
“International students away from their home country can sometimes feel homesick but Filipinos tend to make someone feel not out of place and will try to converse with you. In that way they could feel the sense of belongingness,” he said.
CG Ang also made mention of the recently-concluded Tourism Summit last 2019, saying that students being exposed to such events and hospitality have nothing but positive results.
“The organizers encouraged the youth to realize and play their part in continuing the Filipino hospitality, not just for the sake of economic gains, but more so to espouse a culture of friendliness and peace,” CG Ang said, “Hospitality would result to peace, unity and harmony.”
Diplomatic guests from the embassies of Nigeria, Russia, Iraq, Taiwan, Sri Lanka and Belarus cheered the students with their uplifting thoughts on the cohesive and participative spirit observed among the AdU international students at the celebration.
Selected international students also wowed the crowd with their Filiipino-themed dance numbers followed by a Star of the Night Competition. The AdU Chamber Orchestra, along with the Adamson Chorale and AdU Dance Troupe also had their performances.
OUR also announced the competing teams for the 2019 Presidential Football Cup through Mr. Ramon Manuel, the league’s Technical Coordinator.
The ISAAD is composed of students from Asian, Middle Eastern, African and Western countries who are currently enrolled in the University.
