FRIENDS MOOC - Unit 6 - Part 2

Summary

The video highlights the 'Together With Our Differences' project, a collaboration between international and social work students at Leiden University. The initiative aims to bridge social gaps and cultural differences by bringing students from diverse backgrounds together. The project culminates in an opportunity for participants to meet students across the campus after a research phase. Various students share their personal stories, including experiences of different origins, cultural heritage, and the challenges of living and studying in a foreign country. This initiative fosters inclusion, understanding, and unity among students from all walks of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The project 'Together with Our Differences' aims to bring together international students and Social Work students to bridge social gaps and foster understanding.
• 😀 The project is a collaboration between the Samba Lounge project at Leiden University and the Social Work and Social Services departments.
• 😀 The initiative's goal is to decrease social distance between international students and social work students through cultural exchange.
• 😀 In the final phase of the project, students will have the opportunity to meet students from various backgrounds across the campus.
• 😀 The project is preceded by a research study to understand the needs and dynamics of the participants.
• 😀 Mary, a third-year Social Work student at Leiden University, introduces herself as Turkish, with a grandmother of Georgian origin, though she speaks Turkish exclusively.
• 😀 Arzu, a student from Turkey, is enrolled in the Social Work department and shares her background and experience.
• 😀 A student from Korea, visually impaired and a representative for disability students, speaks about their experience and role at the university.
• 😀 A Turkish student, 21 years old, shares their journey of moving from the north of Turkey to Istanbul due to their family’s work-related relocation.
• 😀 A student from Poland, studying English linguistics, expresses gratitude for the opportunity to study at the university and participate in the project.
• 😀 A student from Libya, who speaks Arabic as a native language and English as a second language, shares their background and involvement in the project.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the 'Together with Our Differences' project?

The main objective of the 'Together with Our Differences' project is to bring together international students and Social Work students, reduce social distance, and promote cultural understanding.

Which groups of students are involved in the project?

The project involves international students and Social Work students, aiming to bridge the gap between these two groups.

How does the project help students from different backgrounds?

The project helps by fostering interaction between international students and Social Work students, which reduces social distance and increases understanding of each other's cultural differences.

What is the final phase of the 'Together with Our Differences' project?

In the final phase of the project, students have the opportunity to meet with other students from across the campus after a research study has been conducted.

What is Mary’s background and role in the project?

Mary is a third-year student in the Social Work department at Leiden University. She is originally from Turkey, and her grandmother has a Georgian background. Mary plays a role in the 'Together with Our Differences' project, helping facilitate interactions between international and Social Work students.

Where is Arzu from, and what is her academic focus?

Arzu is from Turkey and is a student in the Social Work Department at Leiden University. She was born in a small city in Turkey, and her academic focus is Social Work.

What challenges does the student from Korea face, and what is their role in the project?

The student from Korea, who is visually impaired, is the student representative for disability students. They are also a third-year student in the Social Work department at Leiden University.

What is the background of the student from Poland, and what are they studying?

The student from Poland is studying English linguistics. They are a third-year Social Work student at Leiden University and originally from a small town in the north of Turkey.

What language does the student from Libya speak, and what is their educational background?

The student from Libya is a native Arabic speaker, and their second language is English. They are a third-year student in the Social Work department at Istanbul University and have been living in Turkey for five years.

How does the project address the needs of students with disabilities?

The project addresses the needs of students with disabilities by including a student representative for disability students, ensuring that their perspectives and experiences are considered and incorporated into the project activities.