Community relations
by Andrew Lees
In a quiz with a difference, the entire Mawson Lakes population came
out winners.
If a Tibetan monk is riding his "rakuni", what is he riding?
If you answered "camel", you’d be right. But if you had answered "camel" at the inaugural Mawson Lakes Student Network (MSN) International quiz day, held at the Mawson Lakes Hotel on September 11, you’d have been in the running to win great prizes, maybe some wine, and a swag of new friends into the bargain.
International Studies student Tisha George certainly hopes so. George is President of MSN, a student group created specifically to foster links between the Mawson Lakes student body and the wider community.
MSN has 44 members already, and George said the quiz day, which attracted more than 130 people, was just the beginning of a much wider campaign to further integrate UniSA Mawson Lakes campus with Mawson Lakes residents.
“When you’re from overseas, your friends are your family. Local residents have always been very welcoming to us, and we wanted to emphasise that by creating an ‘I learn from you and you learn from me’ feel to the event.”
George said many international students can be shy, and intends MSN to act as a medium for all students to expand their social and professional horizons in a welcoming setting.
“With so many students and community members attending, it really was a great day,” she said.
The packed conference room at the Mawson Lakes Hotel was testimony to that. The action was split into three rounds, with questions ranging from what toy was recently voted Toy of the Century (Lego), to the exact year when fire engines were first used in Australia (1822). Eventual winners were the colourfully named Lock, Stock and Two Non-Smoking Pharmacy Students, but it was clear that winning was the least important aspect of the day.
MC and international students advisor Anthony Siew said events such as this are vital in forging lasting links between students and residents.
“Networking is very important in that there are so many students living in the local area,” he said. “If direct links are established, international students are more confident to become involved in the local community.”
Social work student Alice Nguyen agreed, saying that the event was “very well organised” and praising MSN for its goals and dedication.
“It’s really good to see people having fun, participating, and having a few laughs as well,” she said. “A lot of international students come to UniSA, and it’s good for people to get to know other cultures.”