Foreign students at IIT Madras get a taste of local culture

The aim was exchange of knowledge on culture, cuisine and art, among other things. From cooking and Indian Kuchipudi to German Volksfest dance, a Portuguese musical performance, a fashion show, poetry and traditional Japanese dance, the celebrated featured a melange of cultural events. Students shook a leg or two to peppy Bollywood numbers as well. 

Robert Kirchner, an exchange student from Curtin University, Western Australia studying B.Tech./M.Tech., Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, says, “Meeting many different people, different cultures, different surrounds, different teaching, it’s been great. The people are so kind and offer help. 

I made some Anzac biscuits in this festival and they were a popular hit. I am looking forward to what lies ahead and find other experiences to remember.” At any given time, there are around 100 international students on campus, through exchange programmes. 

Close to 70 per cent are from Germany, followed by France. Commenting on the event, Johanna Moser, a Business Administration Student from Passau, Germany, pursuing her second year in Management Studies, says, “Meeting so many new people and getting exposed to the new culture in India has been a great experience.” 

Prof. R. Nagarajan, Dean, International and Alumni Relations, IIT Madras, says, “Over the past 6 years, International Day has become a fixture on campus. The cooking demos and cultural performances by our International Students have served as an icebreaker and brought them much closer to the campus community.” The celebrations were organised by the Office of International and Alumni Relations and Ipals. It also included several games for the campus community and exchange students.