Rotary Club and College Promote Internationalism

27 March 2007 LR

International peace, goodwill and understanding were the main themes that prevailed at the recent international evening organised by the college's international department in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Haverfordwest.

Over 400 people, including 100 Rotarians and their guests, thoroughly enjoyed the evening of delicious cuisine and delightful entertainment from around the world.

Principal Glyn Jones welcomed everyone to the college and explained the main purpose of the evening, which was to celebrate diversity of culture and to give international students the opportunity to give their host families, friends and members of the public 'a taste of their homeland'.

Stewart Thompson, vice president of the Rotary Club of Haverfordwest then explained the significant contribution the Rotarians made internationally and locally to help promote world peace, goodwill and understanding.

Fellow Rotarian, Glan Philips, then symbolically lit the 'candles of the world' - with each candle representing a continent - and encouraged the audience to cheer when their candle was lit.

Food was then served in the atrium by international students. Dishes from countries representing Africa, China, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Wales included sushi, curries, breads, enyama (African style beef), pelmeni and sweet rice.

The food was prepared in the college kitchen by the international students with the grateful support and help of hospitality and catering lecturer Mark James and students.

Entertainment followed with traditional Welsh harp music and singing by Mrs Eryl Thomas and her two daughters, Sarah and Samantha; magic by Kafeel Ahmed, a fellow Rotarian; Chinese ballads by college student Zeren Wang; and some singing and dancing by United Arab Emirates students that evoked sounds of the desert.

Ten sets of proud Chinese parents, along with the college Chinese recruitment agent and a Chinese television company film crew also attended the evening.

Just before the end of the evening, international manager, Patrick Groves, thanked the Rotary Club for their support and participation, MC Brenta Pearn, the organisers from the international office, host families for their important contribution to the 'student experience', the hospitality and catering department and especially the international students for their hard work and enthusiasm.

If you would like to become a host family for one of the college's international students, please call Yoriko Omae on 01437 753 113.

Photo captions

Pembrokeshire College international students with principal, Glyn Jones and vice president of the Rotary Club of Haverfordwest, Stewart Thompson.

Pembrokeshire College UAE students with some of the food they prepared.

Pembrokeshire College UAE students finished the successful international evening with a lively and enjoyable performance.