The International Student and St. David

March 2, 2010
11:30pm
The Matchbox

"The Black Forest cake comes from a place called Black Forest in south-west Germany, and that's where half of my family is from!" That's Helen, from University of Newport. She teaches at a primary school, and studies Fashion Design, and she loves welsh cakes.

"My dad's Indian, mom's Portugese. I studied in Delhi till about grade 7, then moved to Canada. And I'm here in Wales as an exchange student now. So yeah, I'm from all over." That's Anika, from University of Newport, fond of salmon and photography.

"I used to dance with my brother in Tokyo. But I'm too short to be a professional performer. So I took up stage management. I know nothing about theatre, mind you. I just deal with people, lighting and sound." Akiko Suzuki, from Japan, full of spunk and humour.

"I went to Bath (in England) when I was fourteen, and on going back to Colorado, I decided to work hard on my grades to come back to the UK for college. I'm happy to be here, studying piano" That's Lauren Lewakowski, from USA at the Royal Welsh Academy of Music and Drama.


These aren't characters from a film (would make interesting ones though!). They are real people. I met them. And that's how I know about them.
It was St. Davids'Day Reception today. St. David was the patron saint of Wales, one of the most highly revered saints of his time. 1st March of every year is St. Davids' Day. Wales celebrates everything Welsh on this day. The bright sunshine and children scampering about, the red Welsh dragon costume parades, the delicious Welsh food festival - its all there, bright red dragons all over the city of Cardiff.

The Welsh Assembly decided to make this day even more memorable by inviting international students from all the universities of Wales for a reception at The Senedd (Welsh for the Welsh Assembly) by the eternally pretty Bay. The Senedd itself is a beautiful building like a Glass House and follows all the 'green' principles of construction.

At the beginning, I felt a little awkward. Going all alone for a party with a slight hope of finding familiar faces was not my ideal idea of fun. But then, I simply went. And boy, am I glad I did! And I learnt that chatting up to people isn't hard at all, as long as you strike up the right topic. It was fun. The people from the Welsh Assembly themsleves were present, and were a friendly lot, going up to students and talking to them. Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, gave the opening speech, remarking that he hoped we had by now, the hard way, learnt that Wales was not a part of England. (That's the beauty of the Welsh lot. They are brilliant at self-deprecating humour. And they are ALWAYS happy.

The food was bland. Lamb cawl with laverbread, salmon and cream, welsh sausage and mash, wine, sparkling water and tons of welsh cake. I enjoyed the wine and cake, obviously.

I left by 8, as they were closing down the pretty glass building. I waited for my bus to take me home. None came. Apparently, there was a massive car accident close to the Bay itself resulting in the blocking of all roads. The girl waiting with me, Isabel from Poland suggested we walk up to a different bus stand. I walked. For some strange reason, we walked in the middle of the road, and the woman had the spunk to shout a request at a police car, seeking directions for the next bus stop. She's been in Cardiff for the last seven years with her boyfriend. In the bus, she talked about how fascinating she thought India was, how amazing she thought it was to have a meaning to every name("Isabel is meaningless. Its just a name!"), how she hates the weather at Cardiff, how she plans to travel to India. And towards the end, she told me, "Never ever, get comfortable with a job you don't really want to do. I started as a temp at an agency, and stayed there for four years. Not my idea of a great future." Mine neither.

The day was fantastic. Thank goodness I went! Now I know people who will keep me updated on all the musical concerts and theatre performances around town. And I know places around Wales I have to visit next.

I think I have finally gotten my life back.:)