By Courtney Van Hoosen | Office of Global Strategies
From November 18 to November 22, UNL hosted more than 40 events, workshops and presentations to celebrate International Education Week, the rich global diversity of the campus community and the benefits of an international education.
International Education Week (IEW) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education to give students a chance to experience new cultures and celebrate the benefits of international exchange. Every year, the Office of Global Strategies coordinates the weeklong celebration at Nebraska and manages the events calendar.
“This week is an awesome way to celebrate the cultures of the international students who come to Nebraska from around the world, and celebrate UNL’s world-class education,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs Josh Davis said.
Nebraska has hosted IEW celebrations for several years, with renewed vigor beginning in 2013. Last year, UNL’s IEW calendar included 39 different events with 20 campus collaborators. For 2019, the Nebraska community hosted 46 events.
IEW at Nebraska began on November 18 with the Global Tea Party hosted by the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO), Student Involvement and the Kawasaki Reading Room. 85 students, faculty and staff visited the Kawasaki Reading Room located on the third floor of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center to sample teas from around the world, listen to traditional music and learn more about IEW.
Tuesday evening included the Global Huskers Festival, a new multicultural festival with food, art, cultural décor, live performances and an international fashion show put on by international students and student organizations. Adapted from the Culture Shock and International Food Bazaar past events, 14 international student groups and individuals hosted booths at the public event to share their culture with the more than 500 attendees. The festival was ISSO’s signature IEW event this year, hosted in partnership with Nebraska Athletics, Student Involvement and University Housing.
See highlights from Nebraska’s 2019 International Education Week celebrations.
Other events throughout the week ranged from the International Opportunities Information Sessions and Passport Booth organized by the College of Education and Human Sciences, to multiple language tables and international film showings. International students and scholars at UNL were also recognized with a flag display in the green space behind the Union Plaza.
The International Business program in the College of Business has also been a strong supporter of IEW activities. The College’s signature 2019 event was Global Café and Connections, an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to connect with each other while learning more about the stories of local ethnic restaurant entrepreneurs.
In addition to a variety of opportunities for international students to share their culture, UNL also uses IEW celebrations to highlight opportunities for American students to prepare themselves to work in a global environment. The College of Business and the College of Education and Human Sciences hosted a workshop on how to highlight study abroad experiences to employers, From Suitcase to Briefcase. In partnership with University Career Services, the Education Abroad Office also hosted Gage Mruz, alumnus, CEO and founder of sustainable apparel company Greenstain, followed by a panel of students on interning and researching abroad.
Faculty and staff were encouraged to participate in IEW celebrations as well. A Chinese Name Pronunciation Workshop was held on November 19, followed a lunch and learn session that discussed teaching international students in a traditional classroom setting on November 22.
The Office of Global Strategies would like to thank all of its supporters for International Education Week. In addition to those mentioned above, the Office is also extremely grateful for the efforts of the International Business Club, Fellowships Office, International Quilt Museum, IANR Global Engagement, Nebraska Passport Office, Fulbright Student Association, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Counseling and Psychological Services, Chancellor's Office, German Club, Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, and University Communications.