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Games Without Borders Social

Mar 25, 2025 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM

Registration Deadline: Mar 25, 2025 08:00 PM

*** CALLING ALL GLOBAL CITIZENS AT MCMASTER ***

Are you curious about how different cultures come together through games?

Are you interested in connecting with peers from diverse backgrounds and broadening your global perspective?

If yes, don't miss this exciting opportunity to participate in our Games Without Borders Social - a unique cultural event brought to you by the Student Success Centre's Global Experience Peer Leader Team!

 

WHEN: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 5PM - 7PM

WHERE: Gilmour Hall 110

WHAT TO EXPECT: 

Our Games Without Borders Social is in-person event hosted by the Student Success Centre and will introduce participants to traditional games from various cultures. 

Part I: Learn & Play 

Peer facilitators will introduce and teach four games from different cultures.

  1. Mikado (Worldwide): Mikado is a multiplayer pick-up sticks game where each stick has a different score based on its colour. The challenge? Pick up as many sticks as possible without moving others! You will learn strategies and techniques to master the game while making new friends. 
  2. Jianzi (China): Jianzi is a traditional Chinese sport where players use feet, knees, and other body parts (except hands) to keep a shuttlecock (a jianzi) in the air. It can be played individually or as a team. During the event, facilitators will ask participants to kick the jianzi five times in a row without dropping it. Successful participants will move on to the next game!
  3. Raja, Mantri, Chor, Sipahi (India): This game has several similar versions played across the world. This version is played in India. On a piece of paper there will be one character, each player will pick up a folded paper without knowing what is written inside. Each character has a certain number of points allocated to them. The goal of the game is for the mantri (minister) to identify who the chor (thief) is solely based on everyone's expressions/reactions. If they guess correctly, they keep their points and if not, they lose them to the thief. Students can bluff to confuse the minister, and ultimately the player with the most points wins! 
  4. Yutnori (Korea): Yutnori is a traditional Korean board game that is especially popular during Lunar New Year. It is a strategic game played with four wooden sticks (Yut) and a game board (Malpan). The game can be played with two or more players, either individually or in teams. The objective is to move all of one's pieces around the board and back to the starting position before the opponent. 
  5. Gomoku (East Asia) - Time Permitting: Gomoku is a traditional East Asian board game that is similar to Five in a Row. It is a strategic game played on a Go board using black and white stones. The game is simple to learn but requires deep thinking and strategy, making it a popular pastime among players of all ages. 

Part II: Friendly Competition

Put your new skills to the test! Participants will be divided into groups of 2-4, rotate through all the games, and compete for the fastest completion time. The top players will win small prizes! 
 

WHO CAN ATTEND: 

All McMaster students from any program or faculty are welcome, including domestic and international students! No prior experience is needed - just bring your enthusiasm! For this event to run, a minimum of four registered students is required!

MEET YOUR FACILITATORS: 

Henry Tsai is a Global Program Support Assistant on the Global Experience Team at the Student Success Centre. As an international student from Taiwan, he can share his experience studying abroad, working on campus and more.

Jiwon Shin is a Student Peer Leader on the Global Experience Team at the Student Success Centre. Jiwon is an international student from Korea and will share working experiences as an international student in Canada! 

Naaya Patel is a Student Peer Leader on the Global Experience Team at the Student Success Centre. Having worked as a Global Program Support Assistant and now a Peer, Naaya can give insight on different global opportunities available to students such as the McCall MacBain, U21, and the MyWorldAbroad certificate program! 

Alice Pao is a Student Peer Leader on the Global Experience Team at the Student Success Centre. Alice is an international student from Hong Kong and has completed the Student Success Centre's Intercultural Learning Certificate.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Email Erin Pease, your SSC Global Experience Coordinator, at globalcareers@mcmaster.ca.

Don't miss this chance to experience global games, make new connections, and have fun! See you there! Also, you may want to consider this opportunity to learn more about the international experiences and funding available through the Student Success Centre's Global Experience Program. 

While this event will be peer-led, the SSCs Global Experience Coordinator, Erin Pease, will also be present. Feel free to drop by and chat with Erin, to learn more about the range of amazing global experiences that could be on your horizon!