International students’ perspective of Remembrance Day

Remembrance day festivities are deeply ingrained into the lives of domestic students at St. Clair College, but to some from international backgrounds, the day’s significance is not fully apparent.

Remembrance Day festivities took place throughout Windsor on Nov. 11.

According to the City of Windsor website, representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, pre-registered wreath bearers, government officials, local elementary school children, and members of the public gathered at the cenotaph in Windsor’s City Hall Square for an outdoor service.

Sebastian, a first-year networking student from South Asia, said he wouldn’t be attending any memorial services.

“I don’t know what it is,” said Sebastian, who only wanted to use his first name. “I have no idea how to participate.”

When informed of what the memorial services were about, he added he might be inclined to attend in the future.

“Yeah, sure,” said Sebastian. “I mean, people in the military risk their lives for the safety of others. They also aren’t the only ones making sacrifices ̶ their loved ones too, so I think celebrating them regardless of what the governmental situation seems pretty important.”

Alex Wu, manager of international recruitment and project development at St. Clair College, talked a bit about the learning regarding Canadian culture available to the school’s large population of international students.

“There is a course called Transition into Canadian Culture, so there should be some content there,” said Wu. “As well, there are workshops offered, but they are on campus every two weeks,”

Wu said there are more than 4,000 international students at the college, and the majority are from South Asia.

Manavi Shetty, a first-year Media Convergence student from India, explained she was also unaware of the day’s significance.

“To be honest, I have no idea,” said Shetty. “I don’t know ̶ exactly, cause I’m new and I don’t know much about Canadian History.”

When asked what she thought about the festivities, Shetty added that she understood why people would participate.

“So, because it’s not an easy decision to just go into a country as it seems, you know what you’re giving up,” said Shetty. “I think having a day for them means a lot to them, to let them know that we appreciate what they’re doing.”