2025

Tips for observing Ramadan away from home and supporting your friends – Posted 24 February

Whether you’re observing Ramadan or simply want to support your fasting friends, here’s a guide to making the most of this month at university, created in collaboration with the Centre for Academic Language and Development (CALD) and the University of Bristol Islamic Society.

2024

Spring cultural events in the Global Lounge – Posted 29 July

Get a feel for some of the brilliant cultural events we hosted this Spring term.

Volunteering with the Global Lounge – Student blog – Posted 26 January

Hear from post graduate student Dabatsawin Thirapongphaiboon, who volunteered with the Global Lounge as part of their 6-week pre-sessional course in August 2023.

2023

Global Lounge autumn events round-up – Posted 14 December

We thought we’d take a moment to look back at a mixture of our autumn term events in 2023 and share some of your experiences with us in the Global Lounge!

Highlights from Nowruz: Celebrate and Learn – Posted 11 May

What a great time we had at our first ever Nowruz celebration in the Lounge on 21 March! Our event brought the University community together to learn about fascinating Nowruz traditions, share traditional food and enjoy activities including egg decorating. Find our more and browse the photos gallery.

2022

Hanukkah in the Lounge – Posted 2 February

Last December we linked up with Bristol SU’s Jewish Society (J-Soc), Student Inclusion and the Multifaith Chaplaincy to celebrate Hanukkah with a delicious dinner, interactive quiz, fascinating talks and games. Watch a video of the event!

Happy Thanksgiving – Posted 30 November

The Global Lounge once again teamed up with the USA Society for a Thanksgiving celebration, with fun activities, delicious sit-down dinner and a presentation from the USA Society President.

Day of the Dead celebration – Posted 10 November

Bristol SU’s Mexican Culture Society partnered with the Global Lounge to host a colourful Day of the Dead event in the Anson Rooms. Held yearly to honour the deceased, it’s a traditional celebration full of joy, food and music. Take a look at some photos and a video of the event, and find out more about what happened on the night.

Diwali celebrations with the Vice-Chancellor – Posted 3 November 2022

The Global Lounge joined forces with the Bristol SU’s Indian Society to host a colourful Diwali celebration in the Lounge. By the end of the evening, the Lounge was filled with dancing, singing and traditional music.

Open Iftar – Posted 10 May 2022

The Global Lounge, and friends, welcomed students and staff to the Wills Memorial Building for a grand, two-night ‘Open Iftar’ celebration. The lively, free event brought hundreds of Muslim and non-Muslim members of the university community together to share a traditional meal and learn more about Ramadan.

Global food fiesta – Posted 27 April 2022

The Global Lounge’s food fiesta brought students and staff together to celebrate something that’s always popular in the Lounge… food! Everyone enjoyed a feast of tasty dishes from all over the world, as well as musical performances, Bollywood dancing and a student Indian-fusion band.

2021

Thanksgiving – Posted 3 December 2021

In partnership with the USA Society, a grand Thanksgiving feast was hosted in the Global Lounge, with games and activities and a brief history of this annual holiday.

Diwali – Posted 5 November 2021

The Global Lounge kicked off it’s Autumn events programme in style, thanks to the Bristol Indian Society and friends, with it’s first cultural event of 2021, Diwali! Find out what happened at the Global Lounge’s sold out celebration!

Virtual Iftar: come dine with us! – Posted 16 April 2021

Student representatives from the Bristol Islamic Society, Muslim Medic and Black Muslim Society joined staff from Student Inclusion to talk about what the month of Ramadan means to them.

‘It’s an exciting opportunity for anyone at the University’: Isobel Edmondson on Language Café sessions – Posted 3 February 2021

Second-year student, Isobel, tells us what she loves about coming to Global Lounge Language Café sessions and what makes them different from other virtual events.

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