WorldFest 2024 was a cultural treat across campus with engagement from staff and students.
Global and Lifelong Learning, worked in collaboration with Kent Union, ResLife, Kent Sport, Library Services and Commercial Services to celebrate Kent’s cultural diversity.
What is WorldFest?
WorldFest is the University of Kent’s annual celebration of cultural diversity. This year, celebrations took place from 4 – 15 March 2024. WorldFest aims to showcase the cultural diversity, talents, and knowledge of Kent’s students and staff.
Highlights from WorldFest 2024
There were 23 events for students, 11 events for staff, and over 2,300 of the staff and student community engaged in some form of WorldFest activity.
Students and staff came together to provide book recommendations, and the University uplift book club chose What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama as nominated by one of our student Global Officers.
Kent Union held its international food fair. We invited staff and students to engage in our Twinning partnership with Kherson State University in Ukraine, as part of our English Speaking Club. The language centre held language taster classes and facilitated informative sessions on food from Japan and the Arabic world. ResLife hosted events including international film night, henna tattooing, origami, Chinese scroll painting, giving all students an opportunity to embrace global cultures.
Students had a chance to learn new culinary skills in our WorldFest cookery classes which sold out in just a few days of being announced. Read more about the cookery classes.
Staff and students were able to test their knowledge and relax in a fun environment at the Staff and Student quiz events; international themed of course. Winners of the staff quiz, Denglish, received a trophy and lunch.
WorldFest Global Hangout
We have to mention the Global Hangout! It was wonderful to see students engaging in fun and informative activities in Sibson. All of the games proved popular as students tested their skills with giant Jenga, the chopsticks skittles challenge (how many skittles can you pick up with chopsticks in two minutes – it’s harder than you think), guess the language and an interactive ‘name the country flag’, were just a few.
There were a number of international crafts such as planting herbs commonly used in international dishes, African and Aboriginal dot painting. Our language tutors were giving guidance and demonstrating origami and calligraphy, you may have spotted some of the Japanese Year-In Language students in their kimono’s. We had our wonderful Mauritian society serving traditional tea, which smelt amazing.
Students could have their WorldFest passport stamped for taking part and go into a prize draw to win a goodie bag from Kent Sport and Woody’s voucher donated by Kent Union.
WorldFest Bitesize Fund and Iftar Dinner
We were also delighted to support the Iftar Dinner through the Bitesize Fund and organised by Kent Union’s Student Voices project. The Bitesize Fund is still open to Kent students for applications for 2024 who want to put on a Multi-Cultural event.
See some of the highlights of WorldFest in our video.
We hope you enjoyed WorldFest this year and if you have ideas for next year’s celebrations, do email us at DeanGlobalLifelong@kent.ac.uk.
