It’s back to school week at Red River College, and as always, students are marking their return to class with a few extra-curricular celebrations.

Yesterday, students at RRC’s Notre Dame campus were treated to a Welcome Back BBQ hosted by the Red River College Students’ Association and the department of Diversity and Immigrant Student Support. The lunchtime event featured an array of entertainment and activities, including readings, inflatable boxing, information kiosks, and a Chinese lion dance — the latter courtesy of the Wushu Manitoba Training Centre’s Ranie Laoag Martial Arts team.

A similar event was held Monday at RRC’s Exchange District Campus, where the Students’ Association again joined with Diversity and Immigrant Student Support to hand out hot dogs with an international twist (see image slideshow below).

The “Diversity Dogs” (topped with such international condiments as chili, curry and sauerkraut), were offered to promote RRC’s Cultural and Language Mentor Program, which pairs immigrant and international students with a Canadian-born counterpart for activities on and off campus.

“For the global mentors (immigrant/international student), it’s a good way to improve language skills, to get connected to the community and the campus, and to make new friends,” explains Lauren Konrad, the program’s coordinator. “And for the local mentors, it’s a great way to gain new perspective by learning about other cultures.”

Click here to learn more about back-to-school events planned by RRC’s Students’ Association.

Click here to learn more about RRC’s Cultural and Language Mentor Program.