Through study abroad programs, many students visit different countries to learn about cultures around the world. This week, the Center for Global Education Services is bringing those cultures to ASU.
Since 2000, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education have designated the third week in November as International Education Week.
Organizations and universities across the U.S. and around the world are encouraged to participate in the week by hosting events about education around the globe.
“The week brings international education to the forefront,” said Angela Mitchell, marketing and outreach coordinator for the Center for Global Education Services at ASU.
Universities are not forced into holding events. However, all universities in Arizona are participating, Mitchell said.
Informing students about the opportunities that are available in study abroad is one of the main focuses of International Education Week.
“[The week] puts more focus and emphasis on international study … it provides [study abroad as] a way to get information to students in a short period of time,” global studies senior Nicole Schnitzler said. Schnitzler helped organize an event on Monday for International Education Week.
Monday night, to help kick off International Education Week at ASU, the University’s study abroad program held an event at the Hassayampa Academic Village lounges on the Tempe campus.
The event, named “Around the World in 80 Minutes,” was a unique and interactive way for students to learn about the University’s study abroad opportunities in many different regions.
There were four regions featured in the event — Asia, Europe, Oceana and the Americas — and each had a lounge decorated like the region. In each region there would also be a representative from study abroad explaining the culture and study abroad opportunities available to students.
Two students, Schnitzler and global health senior Kimberly Fajardo, planned and initiated this event.
“It was really interactive… they looked at it from the perspective of what a student would find interesting,” said Michele Daley, director of Student Engagement for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
There are many other events throughout the week on all four ASU campuses.
There was an International Game Night on Tuesday evening at the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus. Different games from various countries were taught to participants, and speakers were encouraged to communicate in different languages.
At the Downtown campus on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., there will be an international fair where the different aspects of international education and study abroad will be on display.
The Polytechnic campus will have a similar event on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where Global Education Services will give out information regarding study abroad.
A celebration of various international communities through music and dancing is scheduled to occur at the West campus on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The week will wrap up at the Tempe campus on Friday with International Night from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., where international students will share their culture through dances, singing, various other performances and food.
“I hope students have the opportunity to attend some of the events to see what students and faculty of other cultures have to offer,” Mitchell said.
Reach the reporter at connor.radnovich@asu.edu
