News and Events

MHC celebrates diversity and inclusion, stands against discrimination

Raising the Curtain 2019
March 21, 2019
 

Medicine Hat College (MHC) strives to be a place where everyone belongs, and where everyone can feel safe and accepted regardless of the colour of their skin, the language they speak, what they believe, or who they love.

As the community celebrates diversity and inclusion with the city’s Raising the Curtain initiative this week, and the world recognizes the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Mar. 21, recent headlines are a dark reminder of the work that still needs to be done.

“We recognize that discrimination, racism, and intolerance exists in our world and in our community, but there can be no place for it at Medicine Hat College. Our goal is for MHC to be a safe space where people seek out truth, celebrate differences, and embrace those from all walks of life,” says Irlanda Price, associate vice president of student development.

With growing international populations at campuses in Medicine Hat and Brooks, there exists great opportunity to learn from other cultures and expand our worldview, says Hadija Drummond, director of international education and diversity at the college. Over 30 countries are represented by international students and permanent residents at MHC and approximately 300 students are hosted on campus annually.

“We aim to provide and support opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to undergo rich international and intercultural learning experiences,” explains Drummond. “It takes time, but we’re seeing growth on campus as our community starts to truly understand, appreciate, and celebrate our differences.”

Korean students teach traditional games to MHC recruiter

Photo [left to right]: MHC recruiter, Allan Siwela, learns a traditional Korean game from international students Daeyoung Kim, Taekyung Kang and Hyejung Kim.

For Daeyoung Kim, having the opportunity to live in Canada and study at MHC has been a good experience. The South Korean arrived in Medicine Hat at the end of December and has enjoyed living with his homestay family and making connections on campus with students from around the world.

He describes his Canadian family as kind and having respect for other countries and cultures.

“My homestay father says our blood is all the same, even though we have different faces,” says Kim.

Taekyung Kang and Hyejung Kim, also from South Korea, were eager to study abroad in Canada, a country they believe to be safe and peaceful.

“My experience at MHC is really good. The lifestyle and the way in school are so different from Korea,” explains Kang. “The students of MHC are always kind and try to help me when I was in difficult. Although I'm not good at English, they listen carefully to what I'm saying.”

Hyejung’s only regret is that his time here is too short.

“I really hope to come again here.”

Join Medicine Hat College in celebrating diversity and fighting racism. Visit the display table beside Common Grounds on Mar. 21 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to show your support for the elimination of racial discrimination, or visit www.facebook.com/RaisingMedHat/ to learn more about Raising the Curtain events happening in Medicine Hat this week.