Students passed around tea and biscuits in the Honors College and International Center as they settled in to discuss the United Kingdom during WKU Global’s weekly Chai Chat.
Wes Watkins, manager of WKU Global Learning and Student Success, began the event by delivering a short presentation about the U.K. Watkins discussed the country’s history, geography and culture.
After the presentation, staff passed out raspberry and orange Jaffa Cakes and chamomile tea as the group gathered to play Kim’s Game, a popular children’s game in the U.K. that utilizes observation and active recall.
In recent years, weekly chats were often held by international students or students who have studied abroad during college to advise other students interested in studying abroad. Watkins said the event’s true goal is to help students relax from their busy schedules, enjoy a new culture and learn something new.
“(Chai Chats) get students comfortable with seeing us and asking questions, and if that results in some sort of connection with international students or students studying abroad, that’s great, but it’s also just a break,” Watkins said.
WKU Global first introduced Chai Chats in 2022 as a monthly event. However, as more students showed interest in presenting and attending, the office decided to test the event as a weekly endeavor, Watkins said.
“Some of it has been student-driven, like if there are popular study abroad programs, if there are locations where staff have recently traveled, or if it’s an international student’s home country. It all depends,” Waktins said.
The U.K. is one of WKU’s most popular study abroad locations. It’s important to not only prepare those who are already slated to travel, but gauge interest in those who have never thought it possible to leave Kentucky, Watkins said.
Next week’s Chai Chat will focus on the culture and customs of Germany.