International students get together to help beat cancer

University of Queensland students from eight countries are banding together to raise money to help an Australian organisation beat cancer.

The 16 English language students from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Japan, Peru and Thailand aim to raise more than $3000 at a Biggest Morning Tea event  at UQ’s Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ) on Thursday (28 May).

Colombian student Diana Garcia said her English for International Business Communication (EIBC) class was one of hundreds of groups that had registered to host Cancer Council Biggest Morning Tea events across Australia in May and June.

“Our Biggest Morning ‘ICed-TEa’ event is a little different and has a unique international flavour,” Ms Garcia said.

She said the students would use the event to raise awareness among international students of Australia’s most common cancer, skin cancer.

“Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

“Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70 and around 2000 Australians die from skin cancer each year.”

Many international students are attracted to Australia by the prospect of soaking up some Aussie sunshine, but Ms Garcia said most aren’t aware of the risks when they arrive.

“The Australian sun is much stronger than in other countries and, because UV damage can take years to show, some students won’t notice the effects for maybe 10 or 20 years,” she said.

“We are reminding ICTE-UQ students to wear sunscreen and protective clothing while they are here.”

The students plan to sell about 700 cupcakes to raise funds for cancer research, treatment and support.

Ms Uno, from Japan, said  the group had  come up with some creative ways to raise extra dollars.

”ICTE-UQ students who speak their own language in class have had to pay a fine, and we have been selling raffle tickets to win prizes donated by businesses on campus.,  she said.

In addition to raising money for a great cause, the event has some added learning benefits for the students.

“I think organising an event like this is the best way to put the English skills we are learning in class into practice,” Ms Garcia said.

“Knowing we are helping a really important cause gives us a lot more motivation to do our best.”

The Biggest Morning ‘ICed-TEa’ will be held for students studying at UQ’s Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ) on Thursday 28 May from 10.30am-1.30pm. You can donate here: http://qld.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/icteuqbiggestmorningtea.

Media: ICTE-UQ Communications Manager Frances Wickerson, 3346 6712, f.wickerson@icte.uq.edu.au.