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<\/a>Barclay became involved in the production and operation of the event once she was in her current position at Camosun. The approach taken by her, and the other involved faculty members, is to take on the more technical parts of planning, allowing students the freedom to handle most other aspects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try to give the leadership to students; they connect, they prepare it, they do the lights, they do the hosting… And we do the background,\u201d she says. \u201cSo it\u2019s a joint effort, but the students are at the forefront. But this time around, because we kind of don’t have that base of students, because that connection got lost through COVID, we took a little bit more hands-on approach. But students still stepped up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barclay says that students still showed a lot of interest in the event\u2014they volunteered their musical and production skills, and they sent in audition tapes. Despite this new format, and the lack of in-person auditions, practices, and performances, students still managed to form connections with one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause the students came, even though they came one by one, they got a chance to watch each other, connect with each other, talk to each other,\u201d says Barclay. \u201cSo we are able to create that connection as well. So I think it was still a great idea, rather than doing nothing, giving the students the opportunity to express themselves, outside the academics, in something fun, and then connect with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Student performances this year include singing, dancing, and the showcasing of traditional outfits. Barclay is grateful for the opportunity to help Camosun students build a stronger sense of community, and she encourages students to attend this year\u2019s Cultural Showcase to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Camosun\u2019s international student body.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m really excited about the fact that we provided some opportunity to the students to connect with each other, to showcase their culture, to share who they are,\u201d says Barclay. \u201cThey are not just academic personas, they are not just students, but they have a whole identity to them. Being able to be seen as human beings and a part of this community, and what they are bringing to Camosun and Victoria, I am really excited about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Camosun College World University Service of Canada (WUSC) chapter. WUSC is an international non-government organization that aims to provide education to refugees; since Camosun began its partnership with WUSC in 2016, they have welcomed and supported one student per year. The Cultural Showcase was created in partnership with Camosun\u2019s African Awareness Committee, and is supported by Camosun\u2019s Peer Connections group.https:\/\/camosun-college-student-society.square.site<\/a><\/p>\n