The Office of International Students and Scholars and the Study Abroad Office partnered with the Diversity Activities Board for the Global Tommies Excursion, the second annual retreat to bring together domestic and international students on Nov. 4 and 5.

The program invited returning study abroad students and international students for an immersive multicultural experience, with the goal of teaching the students to find common ground despite their differences.

Intercultural Programs Director Othman Zaimi believes that this retreat is an important tool for students from across the globe to come together.

“The idea for this event basically came from the desire to do something to combine domestic and international students together for an experience that helps them know each other, develop each other and basically create a relationship between the two groups,” Zaimi said.

Zaimi had the same goal for each group of students, based on the philosophy of mutual benefit. Whether the student was domestic or international, what they learned from the retreat was no different.

“The ability to communicate with someone from a different culture, no matter if you’re international or domestic, you have the same skills that you need to develop,” Zaimi said.

The group headed to the Audubon Center in Sandstone, Minnesota once again. The retreat was in February last year, so they went skiing, snowshoeing and learned about winter survival. Another popular activity was a bonfire with a marshmallow roast, something that Zaimi looks back at fondly.

“It was the first time skiing for a lot of students, both American and international, so that was fun to see,” Zaimi said. “We also had a fire with s’mores, kind of a classic telling stories around the campfire type deal, which was a nice moment.”

Lucie Semeradova, a senior from Prague who spent the year at St. Thomas as part of an exchange program, originally signed up to get a little taste of home.

“I probably would not have signed up for it without my friends and the desire to be in nature for a little bit,” Semeradova said. “I am from mountains so it was hard to get used to a different landscape in St. Paul.”

Zaimi kept the same multicultural activities and bonfire, but switched up some of the outdoor activities for the weather. He also planned a scavenger hunt around the site, which gave the students a chance to learn more about the surrounding area.

“The center has a lot of fun little places to explore, which will be easier to access without all of the snow,” Othman said. “It will give us a chance to explore around the area a little more.”

While becoming more accepting of others is an important aspect of this trip, Zaimi stresses the importance of personal growth.

“You need to develop your own identity, which is just understanding yourself,” Zaimi said. “In normal terms, it means to have a better understanding of yourself through interaction with people that are different from you.”

For Semeradova, it was about more than finding common ground, but creating lasting friendships.

“What I got was a couple new friends. And that’s worth it.” Semeradova said.

Mary Brickner can be reached at bric0029@stthomas.edu