Students learned about wellness from their international peers in a discussion panel last Thursday, Nov19.

International Wellness Day, which is part of International Education Week, was held at the library’s third floor. It’s a forum where students discuss their country’s health system and comparing them to America’s healthcare.

Students also talked about different remedies to treat common illnesses within their cultures. Beth Gillis-Smith, the Writing Center co-director, moderated the discussion as well as offering her definition of wellness from a local’s perspective.

“I think that for most Americans when they don’t feel well, they reach for an Aspirin or they reach for an Ibuprofen,” said Gillis-Smith. “But what are some of the other traditions and some of the other ways to help you feel well or address wellness issues across cultures?”

Rifaat Kouaider, a 21-year-old computer engineering student from Lebanon discussed how he would treat a headache in his country.

“It all depends, but if you have a headache, you would drink a tea with green mints and honey then you will feel better,” said Kouaider. “It just works like that, even though it isn’t scientifically proven.”

Gillis-Smith said that the panel also aligned with the Year of Wellness theme, which is a part of the year-long discussion that Moorpark College participates in each year. This year’s theme focuses on health and well-being.

“The importance of the [panel] fits in with our Year Of Wellness program and I think it’s also a great opportunity for us to think about how different cultures address that topic,” said Gillis-Smith.

Kouaider said he defines wellness in his Lebanese culture as eating healthy foods and surrounding himself with positive people.

He said that most households in his country have a backyard garden where they would grown their own vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and chilies.

“We can’t use canned foods, because we think those are death foods that offer no nutrients,” said Kouaider.

For more information about International Education Week, visit the International Students Office, located in Fountain Hall or call (805) 378-1414.