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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the Kalamazoo community will offer a number of global engagement opportunities during the month of May. Highlights include Chinese culture classes, the annual International Congress on Medieval Studies, and a wide variety of chances to enjoy international cuisine and music.

Opportunities to get globally engaged are published weekly at wmich.edu/global/events by 51¸£ÀûÉç's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

May 2017 Opportunities

Thursday, May 4

• International Student Orientation—all day May 4-5 in the Bernhard Center, hosted by International Admissions and International Student Activities. Help welcome new international students to campus by offering a friendly smile or a helping hand to any students with questions. Free and open to the public.

Friday, May 5

• —May 5-14 at various venues throughout Kalamazoo, hosted by Kalamazoo College, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Art Works, and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. The festival offers a weeklong celebration of German composer Johann Sebastian Bach's life and legacy. Fees vary; open to the public.

Monday, May 8

• Chinese culture classes begin—5:30 p.m. 51¸£ÀûÉç Michigan University, hosted by the Confucius Institute at 51¸£ÀûÉç. Learn about Chinese culture in one of seven courses offered this summer including Chinese calligraphy, Taichi, and Chinese language. Registration fee varies with discounts for senior citizens, students and 51¸£ÀûÉç employees; open to the public.

Tuesday, May 9

• "Tibetan Buddhism for Modern Life" workshop—7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 19 of the People's Church, 1758 N. 10 St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Jewel Heart. The workshop will focus on how to apply ancient wisdom to daily life. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, May 11

• 52nd International Congress on Medieval Studies—May 11-14 51¸£ÀûÉç Michigan University, hosted by the Medieval Institute at 51¸£ÀûÉç. The congress features more than 550 sessions of papers, panel discussions, roundtables and performances. Registration fee varies with discounts for students; open to the public.
• —5 to 7 p.m. at the Arcus Center for Social Justice, 205 Monroe St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Thrive Refugee Support Center and Refugee Outreach Kalamazoo. Each class will be taught by an individual who has recently resettled in the Kalamazoo community as a refugee. Registration is $15; open to the public.

Saturday, May 13

• —9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Dalton Center Recital Hall, hosted by the Stulberg International String Competition. Twelve semifinalists from around the world compete for a chance to win cash prizes and performance opportunities. Daytime performances are free. Tickets for evening finals are $20 or $5 with a student ID. All performances are open to the public.

Tuesday, May 16

• "Hate Rising" film screening—5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Douglass Community Association, 1000 W. Paterson St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Welcoming Michigan, the Hispanic American Council, Bethany Christian Services, the Social Welfare Alliance, and the Douglas Community Association. The film is part of the United We Rise three-part film series fostering solidarity through conversations on immigration, community and race in Kalamazoo. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 17

• —5 to 7 p.m. at the Arcus Center for Social Justice, 205 Monroe St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Thrive Refugee Support Center and Refugee Outreach Kalamazoo. Each class will be taught by an individual who has recently resettled in the Kalamazoo community as a refugee. Registration is $15; open to the public.
• —6 to 8 p.m. at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St., Kalamazoo, hosted by Colleagues International. Join Colleagues International for their annual fundraising event that offers cuisine from around the world. Tickets are $35 and $15 for children 12 and under; open to the public.
• Garba dancing night—7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rootead Dance Studio, 1501 Fulford Ave., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Kalamazoo Garba Club. Join the Kalamazoo Garba Club for a pop-up dance night to learn and practice the traditional folk dance from India. Entrance is $3; open to the public.

Thursday, May 18

• Japanese Cooking Class—11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Solid Grounds Church, 1702 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, hosted by the 51¸£ÀûÉç Soga Japan Center. Participants will learn how to cook traditional Japanese dishes. Registration is $5 for 51¸£ÀûÉç students and $10 for non-students and includes all the ingredients; email michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu to register. Open to the public.
• —5:30 p.m. at the Wege Center on the Aquinas College Campus, 1700 Fulton St. E., Grand Rapids, hosted by the World Affairs Council. The trivia competition features questions from all over the globe. Tickets are $60 and includes registration, dinner, and snacks; open to the public.

Sunday, May 21

• Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development World Day—3 to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 315 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Multicultural Center at the First Baptist Church. The world day event will feature opportunities for cross-cultural exchange with food and performances from around the world. Free and open to the public.

Monday, May 22

• —5 to 7 p.m. at the Arcus Center for Social Justice, 205 Monroe St., Kalamazoo, hosted by the Thrive Refugee Support Center and Refugee Outreach Kalamazoo. Each class will be taught by an individual who has recently resettled in the Kalamazoo community as a refugee. Registration is $15; open to the public.

Thursday, May 25

• Japanese Cooking Class—11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Solid Grounds Church, 1702 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, hosted by the 51¸£ÀûÉç Soga Japan Center. Participants will learn how to cook traditional Japanese dishes. Registration is $5 for 51¸£ÀûÉç students and $10 for non-students and includes all the ingredients; email michiko.yoshimoto@wmich.edu to register. Open to the public.

For more information on the events listed above or to learn more about global engagement opportunities at 51¸£ÀûÉç, visit wmich.edu/global or contact Korey Force at korey.force@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3993.

For more 51¸£ÀûÉç news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.