Providence free turkey dinner introduces unique cultural learning opportunity for Manitoba students
In the middle of Southern Manitoba there is a single community of over 20 cultures — Providence College and Seminary. While Southern Manitoba’s population is known for its people of Dutch, Paraguayan or Ukrainian?decent, on a single 100-acre campus Providence is a multicultural microcosm of the world.
At the Harvest Festival Banquet on Sept. 24 and 25, Providence will celebrate a new program launched this spring that will introduce students to diverse cultural and learning opportunities beyond Manitoba’s borders, beyond Canadian borders.
“Providence is known for its unique environment rich in international culture,” says Margaret Schonewille, vice-president of development at Providence.
The Intercultural Service Learning opportunity is currently accepting 18 students to travel to San Carlos, Mexico, from Feb. 26 to Mar. 11, 2011. The philosophy behind the program is to build on two things Providence is already known for—diversity and service—giving students the opportunity to travel to another country to experience their culture and make a contribution to their surroundings by doing service in communities while they are there.
Daryl Climenhaga, professor of Global Studies at Providence Seminary, was asked about the new program and the opportunity to learn in another country.
“International students help all of us at Providence to see the world more fully,” said Climenhaga. “If we become more narrow in our outlook on life, we will not function as well in the diversity that characterizes Canadian life today.”
The Harvest Festival Banquet features a free turkey supper in a culturally diverse setting, with cultural décor provided by Ten Thousand Villages, and coffee featured from other countries. A special invitation has also been issued to the international community to join in the festivities by wearing the customary clothing from their country of origin. The evening also features musical entertainment and stories from students from other countries. The festival starts at 7:00 p.m. each night and is fully sponsored by the Providence Board of Governors.
Also take in the following keynote speakers:
Lorna Dueck, president of Media Voice Generation and the executive producer of Listen Up – the flagship program of Media Voice Generation that examines the spiritual side of news and current events. In 2002, Lorna finished eight years of co-hosting Canada’s most watched daily Christian television program, 100 Huntley Street. Listen Up began as a feature within 100 Huntley Street, and launched as an independent program in 2003. Lorna is a popular television host and public speaker, as well as a regular commentary writer on faith and public life in Canada’s largest national newspaper, The Globe and Mail.
Linda Olson, founder of Made for Something More, is an inspirational speaker and author of Exceeding your Expectations and leadership coach. She offers inspirational messages with passion, purpose, wisdom, and humor. With her background as a Marriage & Family therapist and over 35 years of leadership in ministry and business, she has helped thousands of people break through their fears to follow their dreams.
