A new on-campus art installation invites the viewer to go on a journey around the world. And the guides for that trip? McMaster’s international and exchange students.  

The students created a series of art pieces, now hanging on the walls of the International and Exchange Student Experience (IESE) space in the McMaster University Student Centre.  

Each piece reflects a student’s background and experiences creating a life for themselves here at Mac, or a combination of the two. 

International student Westin Niu drew upon the representation of the dragon in the Chinese Zodiac for her art piece.  

Seeing the artwork displayed gives Westin a sense of belonging. “Now, McMaster feels a bit more like home for me.”  

And since it is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac, Niu intends for it to serve as a blessing for everyone in the McMaster community. 

Aastha Giri’s ‘Tree of Life’ piece serves as a powerful representation of leaving India to come to McMaster. “The branches of the tree symbolize the branches of my life, reaching out into the unknown, yet firmly grounded in my roots.” 

The series is part of an effort to make the space, which is home to IESE programming and in-person supports, more fully reflect the students who use it. 

“We hope that incorporating student art into this space provides a comforting sense of familiarity for international and exchange students as they navigate their university journeys,” says Gisela Oliveira, Associate Director (Career Development, Global Mobility and International Student Success).  “We also want to signal to them that they are part of a community that values their lived experiences and the unique contributions they bring to McMaster.” 

The idea for the art series originally came from Alphonse Mwitenawe, formerly a global and international program assistant at the Student Success Centre. 

Mwitenawe and international student success coach Andrew Staples invited students to share their art. They were overwhelmed by the number of submissions. 

“We are so impressed by the artistic talent displayed by these students,” says Arlene Fajutrao Dosen, executive director and assistant dean of Student Success. “This series is just one of the ways that our international and exchange students enrich our campus, and our community.” 

The series is also a physical reminder of the impact international and exchange students have on the McMaster community. 

“When you interact with us, you make an impression on us. And I’m really excited that we’ve got a space where you can really leave your mark at McMaster,” says Staples.  

“We thank students for contributing to this project,” says Mwitenawe.  

Student contributors are Alice Caldwell, Aastha Giri, Mehak Kapur, Melinda Meleki, Marie Belén Miguel, Westin Niu, Manupratasingh Hirendrasingh Parmar, Mohamadreza Pashazanoosi, and Yifan Wang. 

The art installation can be found in the International and Exchange Student Experience (IESE) space in MUSC B118. Learn more about the supports available to international and exchange students on the Student Success Centre website.