From Midsummer to Diwali – Students Share Traditions at RSU Speed Friending Event

Friendly conversations, laughter and new contacts – this was the RSU Speed Friending event, which this autumn brought together a record number of students. 

On a summery evening of 26 September, local and international students of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) gathered at the RSU Student House for the traditional Speed Friending event organised by the International Department, the Student Union and the International Student Association. This time, nearly 50 students attended – the highest number of participants in the last three years. 

The evening kicked off with a fun handshake game, followed by an activity where students got to know each other’s home countries and favourite holidays and traditions. Local students most often mentioned the Midsummer celebration (Jāņi), while the Song and Dance Festival was also brought up several times. Several Finnish students admitted that Midsummer was also their favourite holiday. Many students from Germany, Italy, Sweden and Latvia chose Christmas as their favourite, Brazilian students spoke about the Carnival, while Indian students highlighted the Festival of Lights, Diwali. This was a chance not only to get to know one another, but also to discover different cultural traditions, while practising listening and storytelling skills. 

The main part of the evening was the Speed Friending session. The tables were arranged in a circle, and students sat on chairs on both sides of the tables – forming an inner and an outer circle. Every three minutes they switched partners and asked each other questions. To make room for everyone, even the couches were used! The session lasted for more than an hour and created a lively, relaxed atmosphere – the room was filled with chatter and laughter. Students said that it was a great opportunity to meet new people and exchange contacts, and that they would recommend others joining next year. 

Sanjay Nagarajah, first-semester medical student from Norway, shared his thoughts:

“It has been a great time – we met so many different people and learned about so many different cultures. Make sure to come next year!”