International Students
If you would like to receive email updates about what is going on at the Small World Café or want more information then email Elisabeth at: smallworldcafe@reading.ac.uk
Visit the Small World Cafe Facebook Group.
The Small World Café is an event that the Christian Union put on every other week during term time for international students. The events are friendly and relaxed and provide the opportunity for international students to meet other students and have some fun together and try foods from various different cultures. The events are usually themed. Past themes have included... Christmas Party, Easter Party, Africa Night, British Culture and many more. Each event is different and can include a variety of activities such as talks about different cultures, live music, games, crafts, dance, singing, poetry, to name just a few.
We also like to provide the opportunity for people to find out about Christianity and what it is that we believe and this is usually by having an optional Bible discussion for everybody who is interested and is particularly aimed at those who have little experience of reading the Bible. We discuss as a group what each other believe and explore a part of the Bible together and discover more about it says and what it means for us today. In addition we also have 'Question a Christian' events where you can ask a panel of Christians any questions you have about any aspect of Christianity. There are talks given about Christmas and Easter and we can also hear individual stories of why people decided to become Christians and what it means for them personally.
From time to time we also go on trips together and in the past year included a Pub Meal and Visiting a Farm, so watch out for these! We would love to meet you and get to know you during your stay at Reading, so come along and find out what it's all about and we hope you will enjoy your times at Small World Café as others have in the past.
What have international Students said about the Small World Café?
"Small World Café is very important and it is very helpful for all foreigners. I thank the Lord that this program exists."
- A French Student.
"I really miss everyone and events I participated in Small World Cafe... Please pass this warm feeling forward...I strongly hope that Small World Cafe, the place for friendship and happiness, will last forever and ever."
- A Thai Student.
"The best thing I got from Small World Cafe is the chance of getting to know other international students especially British people. To be there, we can share experience in various aspects which I couldn't do in the class there."
- A Thai Student.
"I loved the Small World Cafe for several reasons: the themes were very good and enabled international students to discover the English food (with jacket potatoes, Cornish pasties, fish and chips, scones for examples), but also the English sports like cricket or Frisbee. I also liked the games thanks to which everybody could play and speak together, the games in which everybody is involved, like Pictionary or that kind of things... So, carry on." - A French Student.
"The students at small world cafe were some of the first British students I met. It was really special how they had the big welcome party for us; it was special that they took the time to do that and care about us. I had absolutely no intention of exploring my faith in England. I thought if anything I'd come back a bonafide atheist. I had a friend who had gone abroad and came back an atheist. I never imagined that I would go to church or that the dearest and closest people to me in England would be Chrisitans. I'll hold it in my heart forever- the compassion and the listening ears that they offered me. They liked me for who I am. I didn't go to all that many smwc events, but I count them amongst my favorite memories. I liked the Scottish night especially. Once towards the end, there was an event with special deserts and a chance to ask questions. This man, who was speaking there took the time to sit next to me and help me understand. He opened up his bible and had clear, compassionate answers. He was very familiar with it. It was strange; he just had met me and I feel like he understood me so well. I had no idea that Christianity was not about guilt and rules, but rather about love, God's love. And that it is about admitting I haven't loved God with all my heart mind soul and strength. God loves me! How wonderful is that? I don't know that I'll ever be able to be a chrisitan, but I am grateful that I got to see that Christians can be fun, kind, and real people. Thank-you so much!"
- Anonymous student.
"I'm not christian but it feels very nice to be there"
- Anonymous malaysian student.