Bridging Cultures: Fostering Global Connections through SUSS ACE (Advocates for Cultural Education)

The SUSS Advocates for Cultural Education Advocacy Group (ACE-AG) and SUSS’s Global Learning (GL) recently welcomed students from Guizhou and Huashang University. This collaborative initiative spearheaded by ACE-AG, aimed to foster cultural understanding and strengthen global connections-aligning with a mission to promote and nurture diversity on an international scale.

ACE- AG members and Guizhou students came together to understand Singapore culture and experience Singapore’s local traditional games.

Through this event, the students immersed themselves in Singapore’s traditional childhood games and learned basic Singlish phrases. From laughter-filled rounds of games to exciting prizes, the event broke down cultural barriers, fostered meaningful connections and sparked new friendships.

Since the transition from Cross Cultural Immersion Interest Group (CCI-IG) to ACE-AG, the group has played a pivotal role in engaging these international students. By working closely with GL, ACE-AG continues to bridge cultural differences and nurture a global mindset through such initiatives. These events also equip students with essential skills to thrive in an interconnected world, preparing them to engage thoughtfully and effectively with diverse perspectives.

Guizhou students immersed themselves in Singapore’s traditional game as they enthusiastically attempted a game of pick-up sticks. 

Alicia Hor, SUSS Year 1 Supply Chain Management student shared, "This networking session provided a wonderful opportunity to interact with students from Guizhou, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual appreciation for each other's cultures while enjoying ourselves. We gained valuable insights into one another's backgrounds and learned about their academic experiences back home.”

Huashang University students and local students bonding through a game of human bingo, fostering connections.

Kelly Poon, SUSS Year 3 Social work student reflected, “It was a joy to introduce our local culture and landmarks to them, and they were genuinely interested in learning more and exploring these places during their free time. Through our interactions, I discovered shared experiences, such as childhood toys like chapteh and yoyo, which created a sense of connection. It was a wonderful opportunity to better understand their culture.”

This initiative reaffirms the importance of adopting a broader perspective to break down stereotypes and cultivate empathy. By recognising and appreciating both cultural differences and commonalities, students not only broaden their global perspectives but also create meaningful friendships that transcend cultural boundaries.