This event is hosted by the Center of Ideas, which is located on the third floor of Campus Center. And it's just kind of here for the weekend to like unite people of color. Our goal was to ensure that everybody feel welcome at IC and they they have a place where they can go to ask for resources and that they came bond. So it was literally like a retreat to make sure everybody will make new friends [and] will feel welcome. And we'll also be able to talk to IC alumni.
Well, so far, it's we've had a few games. So we've done bingo, which involves us getting up and getting around to interact with other students. And we've done like a work group game of like, uniting different countries, and seeing what we have in like, similarity. I'm really, really enjoying so much this retreat. I wasn't expecting this fun, everybody is so like, has a good vibe. And we're just like cooking, singing together, and meeting new people. So it is amazing, I'm really enjoying it.
Today, I did a cookie workshop, but I also got to speak to them about my journey -- who we are as people of color. We were like singing songs. We were honestly like, that was so fun. And I'm not I don't get to come and be in these spaces very often, especially surrounded by people that look like me. And that no part of the common struggle that we have as people of color in America.
When I came on campus, no one looked like me and it was really hard to like feel like I belonged. And this group like holds that significance, because everyone here looks like me. And everyone here shares the same struggles as me. It's not always easy being in a space where a lot of people don't look like you, especially when you're taking a lot of classes that has a lot of people who don't share the same struggles as you. So the idea of this retreat is just to be able to make people acquainted with others, and know how to navigate their time out of PWI a nd the life after.
I think the Center of Ideas is a very resourceful office that not a lot of students know about on campus. So just putting on the event here not only brings attention to the Center of Ideas, but also allows students to you know, get out there, know about different clubs and orgs, and how to get involved. So I think it's a very good way to like, unite us being that we are a minority group on campus, just so we know that there's people who's actually here in our corner to support us.
In my personal experience being an international student and a first year, Ideas have been helping me a lot. But I think in general what our office does for the community and for IC is just making sure everybody feel welcome and everybody know their resources. So I really feel we are a great place that students can come if they need anything if they want to talk if they need help, if they need anything literally is a place where everybody can come and feel welcomed.
