Arcadia Ireland

This upcoming Friday, November 17th, is International Students’ Day, an international event observed all over the world that celebrates multiculturalism, diversity and inclusivity within the global student community, as well as promoting student action, social responsibility and the pursuit of further education. The day also highlights the particular challenges that present themselves to international students as they overcome difficulties such as cultural differences, language barriers and homesickness, all in the interest of expanding their horizons and gaining new experiences, both in the general and academic sense, through study abroad.

Dating back to the year 1941, International Students’ Day was originally established to commemorate the students who died and were sent to concentration camps after the Nazi authorities suppressed an anti-Nazi demonstration held by university students in the city of Prague during World War II in 1939, which was then used a pretext to close down all Czech universities and colleges. It was believed that it was extremely crucial to recognize and celebrate student resistance, strength and ambition for learning and education under the most strenuous of circumstances. The observance of this day by the student population fell slightly out of fashion after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but it was revived in the early 2000s as a means of honoring the international student community and acknowledging their dedication to study, regardless of any difficulties or issues that they may encounter. International Students’ Day is now celebrated across the globe, with more and more countries and universities choosing to participate in events for the day with each passing year. 

The universal nature of these celebrations allows for international students all over the world to foster and grow a community among each other and share their thoughts and experiences with their peers who are in the same situation as them. In addition to this, International Students’ Day also provides students with the opportunity to honor and recognize the diversity within the international student populace and commend the power and success that stems from cooperation between people from different backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality or ability. This day commemorates the manner in which the differences in our international student community makes it stronger and more complete on the whole.

On this International Students’ Day, it is important to take the time and effort to celebrate the community of students who are currently studying abroad through Arcadia, as well as our past students, and commemorate their courageous dedication to their education as they took the decision to undergo the challenges of studying and living in a new and unfamiliar country and education system with the aim of learning and furthering their own personal and academic development.