Week gives international students chance to share their cultures
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's annual celebration of International Education Week, Sunday through Saturday, Nov. 11-17, will showcase the countries, cultures and global knowledge represented on campus with a weeklong series of events.
The week is comprised of numerous free or low-cost events on 51¸£ÀûÉç's campus that aim to educate and entertain attendees. All events are hosted by 51¸£ÀûÉç student groups, academic departments and offices.
International Education week kicks off early with the Dominican Festival Saturday, Nov. 10, hosted by the Dominican Student Organization. This afternoon will include tasty dishes, cultural knowledge about the Dominican Republic and dancing lessons.
Lectures held during the week include, "From the Blues to Black Lives Matter: Americana Music and Social Protest," hosted by the Department of African American and African Studies; "The Rise of the African and Decolonial Hierarchies," hosted by the Center for Humanities; and "Moving Toward Cultural Humility: A Lifelong Process," hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Other highlights of the week include a Study Abroad Trivia night, an American Thanksgiving Experience, Chinese Movie Nights and many cultural showcases hosted by various registered student organizations at the University. A Malaysian Night Market, hosted by the Malaysian Student Association, will be the final event to close the week's festivities.
The schedule of events is organized by the International Student Activities office in 51¸£ÀûÉç's Haenicke Institute for Global Education and is available online.
International Education Week
As part of the effort to promote global programs, International Education Week aims to prepare students for a global environment, attract future leaders from abroad to study and encourage an exchange of cultural experiences in the United States.
Sampling of Events
- Saturday, Nov. 10—Dominican Night, 2 to 5 p.m., Trimpe Building Multicultural Center, hosted by the Dominican Student Organization.
- Sunday, Nov. 11—Pakistani Saqafat Night, 3 to 6 p.m., rooms 208-209 Bernhard Center, hosted by the Pakistani Student Association.
- Monday, Nov. 12—CELCIS conversation circle, 2 to 3 p.m., Bernhard Center Global Lounge, hosted by the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students.
- Tuesday, Nov. 13—Chinese Movie Night, 3 to 6 p.m., room 4510 Sangren Hall, hosted by the Confucius Institute at 51¸£ÀûÉç.
- Wednesday, Nov. 14—Mapathon, 5 to 10 p.m., Swain Education Library Classroom E, Sangren Hall, hosted by the Department of Geography.
- Thursday, Nov. 15—American Thanksgiving Experience, noon to 2 p.m., Kanley Chapel, hosted by Bronco Campus Ministries.
- Friday, Nov. 16—The Culture Shuffle, 7 p.m., Hadley Hall Lounge, hosted by the Global Languages and Learning Community.
- Saturday, Nov. 17—Malaysian Night Market, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Bernhard Center's East Ballroom, hosted by the Malaysian Student Association.