Starting college in another country can make even a simple conversation feel like a small adventure. On September 29, 2026, Douglas College invited students to its International Café at the New Westminster Campus. Held in DSU Room 208, the afternoon gathering welcomed both domestic and international students to talk about culture, diversity, experiences in Canada, student life and current events. The setting was deliberately casual: a place to meet people and share stories without turning every question into a formal appointment.
That kind of room can matter during the first weeks of a semester. A newcomer may know where the classroom is but still wonder how people make friends, join conversations or handle unfamiliar moments outside class. At the International Café, those everyday questions can surface naturally. Students can compare experiences, discover that someone else has faced the same awkward first step, and hear how classmates from different backgrounds see life in Canada. The value is not a single perfect answer; it is realizing that campus has people willing to listen.
The café also gives language practice a more human purpose. Instead of speaking only to complete an assignment, students can explain a favourite tradition, react to a current event or ask what surprised someone about Canadian life. A conversation may begin with food, music or weather and end with a new contact on campus. Douglas College describes the gathering as a way to meet new people, learn about different cultures and support one another—three outcomes that can make a large institution feel smaller and easier to navigate.
For international students, belonging is often built through these ordinary encounters between classes. Academic services remain important, but confidence can also grow when a familiar face appears in the hallway or when a student feels comfortable joining the next conversation. International Café turns cultural difference into something students can explore together rather than something they must manage alone. One afternoon will not answer every question about studying in Canada, but it can make the next question much easier to ask.
Source: Douglas College, “International Café,” event held September 29, 2026. https://www.douglascollege.ca/about-douglas/news-and-events/2026/sep/international-cafe-0
