From November 12 through November 16, UNL will celebrate International Education Week (IEW) across campus. Part of a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, IEW gives students a chance to experience new cultures and celebrate the benefits of international education.
“Nebraska is proud to participate in International Education Week 2018,” associate vice chancellor for International Engagement and Global Strategies Sonia Feigenbaum said. “This year, again, we have an impressive line-up of activities that speak to our global fabric.”
The weeklong celebration, coordinated by the Office of Global Strategies, kicks off on Monday, November 12 with the start of the First Annual IEW Flag Hunt. Hosted by the International Student & Scholar Office (ISSO), students have a chance to win a $50 gift card to the campus bookstore if they find the five international flags and students spotlight sheets hidden around city campus.
“I'm looking forward to IEW this year because so many different offices and groups are hosting such different events,” ISSO graduate assistant Emily Zimmer said. “I think that international education (in all of its forms) is so important and I get really excited when others see the value in it as well.”
Colleges, departments, offices and student organizations all around campus have joined in the effort to showcase international education at UNL. Other events throughout the week range from the Global Opportunities Fair and International Jubilee, to various world-themed discussions and the popular International Food Bazaar. International students and scholars at UNL will also have a chance to display their home cultures through culture booths, international documentaries and mini language lessons.
“This week celebrates our diversity, our intellectual pursuits across borders, languages, and perspectives, and our desire to bring people together,” Feigenbaum said.
IEW also aims to prepare Americans for a global environment. On Monday, November 12, the College of Business and the College of Education and Human Sciences will host a workshop on selling study abroad experience to employers. The Education Abroad Office, in partnership with Career Services and the UCARE program, will also host panels on interning and researching abroad on Wednesday, November 14.
At the end of the week, the International Business Club and Center for Entrepreneurship will host the first-ever Hult Prize on-campus competition at UNL. Students, in teams of 3 or 4, will pitch their idea to create 10,000 meaningful jobs in the next decade. The winning team will represent UNL at the regional event in the spring, with a chance to ultimately win $1 million to enact their plan and present to the United Nations.
In addition to the organizations mentioned above, the Office of Global Strategies would like to thank its current sponsors of IEW, including: the Global Studies department, the Modern Languages & Literatures department, OASIS, Student Affairs, Student Involvement, the Kawasaki Reading Room, The Confucius Institute, Cultural Ambassadors, the International Business Club, the IANR Student Diplomats, the Association of Rwandan Students, the Chinese Student & Scholar Association and the Omani Students Association.
To summarize the breadth of global opportunities at UNL during IEW in vice chancellor Feigenbaum’s words: “Exploring the world at our doorstep, enriching our lives, that's Global Nebraska!”
To view the full list of IEW events at UNL, please visit the Global Nebraska webpage.