Pitt Global Relations has lived up to its name by creating connections between Pitt students around the world.
In collaboration with Pitt Global Hub, the group recently had a match night in April connecting domestic and international students in Pitt. To keep COVID-19 safe, the organization provides US students with $ 15 GrubHub credit for dinners while virtually engaging with their peers.
Upcoming Pitt Global Events
Female voices in hip hop, French and German conversation clubs and more: Check out more events to come sponsored by Global Hub.
The evening began casually with the opportunity for the participants to unwind from their busy lives. As time starts to get closer, more faces appear on Zoom’s screen – some already with food, others still patiently waiting for delivery. The initial bonding occurs between bites as everyone discusses what they ate and where they got it. Many Forbes Avenue favorites, such as McDonald’s and Forbes Gyro, emerged, and thanks to the event’s remote nature, people also displayed their food from restaurants in Chicago, New York and elsewhere across the US. Abundant smiles and laughter fill the virtual space as simple questions about favorite foods become lively discussions about the origin of shawarma.
Karen Lue, manager of Pitt Global Hub, said it all went according to plan.
“It’s nice to have a communal element” that dinner provides, he says, because it gives participants a topic to talk about. Recognizing the difficulties this year has in the social life of international students, Lue wanted to plan fun events for students “to interact with people and relax,” especially between students near and far.
The breakout room where participants play games such as riddles and Pictionary deliberately features a mix of international and domestic students. Nicole Huang, a third-year computer science and international student, said she enjoyed playing games in the break room and was happy that “this event gives [her] opportunity to chat with different Pitt students. “He added,” Because of COVID, I haven’t had the opportunity to meet new people. “
As the prime manager of the Global Hub, launched in 2019, Lue has now been in a position much longer than directly. Even after the pandemic, he envisioned hybrid events like this becoming the new norm, especially for internationally oriented organizations like his. Last year’s result was that the hub has demonstrated the ability to accommodate speakers and attendees from around the world without travel and lodging costs.
Lue said she was excited to continue hosting the event, whatever it was, and emphasized that as always, “Anyone can attend.”
This story was written by Justin P. Jones, a student reporter for Pittwire.