On September 26th, Leiden University hosted the first language exchange meeting in the frame of the Proud Integration project of LGBT World Beside. The event brought together students learning Russian and refugees seeking to learn Dutch. This exchange became an important platform for mutual enrichment not only in language skills, but also in culture and habits.
FORMAT AND ATMOSPHERE
Under the guidance of Dutch and Russian language teachers, Mark and Oli, the evening turned into a fascinating language journey. Board games for socialising in small groups (four people per table) helped to create a mellow atmosphere and build up to the language practice itself. The event continued for one and a half hours, and more than 40 participants engaged actively in a lively conversation to both improve their language skills and make new acquaintances.
OUTCOME AND IMPACT
Many participants were impressed by how well the Dutch students spoke Russian. The opportunity to connect through langugage helped to break down cultural barriers, uniting people from different countries and diverse backgorunds.
After the official part of the evening, the discussion continued in one of the cosy bars in Leiden,
where Frederick, a student of the Department of Russian Studies, booked a place for 40 people.
The casual atmosphere allowed for participants to open up and talk about not only language issues, but also share personal stories. Many people expressed their interest in holding such meetings frequently to stimulate the integration process through a deeper immersion in language environment and Dutch culture.
THE VALUE FOR INTEGRATION
LGBT World Beside regards such events as a fundametal part of refugees' integration. Language exchange is more than just a way to learn a new language quickly — it helps refugees connect with the local community, which is especially important for those who are just starting their lives in a new country. Initiatives like this help refugees feel more confident, build social connections and find the support they need to fully adapt.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We sincerely thank Leiden University for supporting this important initiative, all the organisers — Dori, Olga, Mark, Frederik — for facilitating the event, and of course every participant for making the evening so memorable. This meeting was an important step towards strengthening our community and supporting refugees in their integration process.
LGBT World Beside will continue developing programmes aimed at helping refugees, and we intend to arrange more gatherings like this in the future, so that everyone can find their place in society, surpassing cultural or language barriers.
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