'Around the World in 80 Songs' returns!
Around the World in 80 Songs invites international students to share music from their home countries
A creative initiative at the School of Music is using the power of song to bring students together across cultures and continents.
Around the World in 80 Songs invites international students to share music from their home countries – performed in both their native language and English – in a celebration of diversity, storytelling, and belonging. Home students and staff are encouraged to collaborate, whether by joining in performance or helping to narrate the stories behind the songs.
Now in its second year, the initiative is part of the School’s International Students Project (ISP), which supports both home and international students to connect, collaborate and create a welcoming community. It aligns closely with the University’s wider commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Each performance is recorded and shared as part of a podcast series, with the aim of eventually reaching 80 songs, reflecting the collective contributions of students and staff over several years. So far, eight songs have been recorded and more will be added.
The team are now looking to expand participation across the Faculty and beyond the School of Music, with plans already underway to include more students from the School of Performance and Cultural Industries.
The initiative also connects with current research led by Dr Hyunah Cho and Professor Ed Venn, exploring students’ experiences of the ISP and their sense of belonging at Leeds.
