Nov. 12, 2012
April Wefler
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Poland. India. Côte d’Ivoire. These are only some of the countries represented during International Education Week, Nov. 12-15.
The week includes a trip around the world, an international movie night, a brown bag session, a study abroad session and an open house.
Mayor Steve Bach hosted an annual reception for international students to kick off the week. This year’s reception was Nov. 10 at the Penrose House.
“We’re hoping to have five to 10 of our international students participate,” said Mary Hanson, assistant director of the Office of International Affairs at UCCS.
For International Education Week, Hanson mentioned that she is most looking forward to the trip around the world, Nov. 12 from 2-5 p.m. in the Upper Lodge.
Student groups from different countries will each have a table to show items that represent their countries, cultures and traditions, such as food, music or traditional dress.
The event includes students from Poland, India, Côte d’Ivoire, as well as Saudi Arabia, Libya, Colombia and many other countries.
“I think it will teach students, faculty and staff about the different countries and cultures that are here on campus,” Hanson said.
International Movie Night, Nov. 13 from 7-10 p.m. in University Center 302, will have several short international films. Attendees can experience how other countries and cultures focus in the film industry.
“I think that there’s so much to learn from other countries and cultures that will help develop us not only as stronger students but also as better people,” Hanson said. “We have so many experts on campus from these countries that they can be our teachers.”
Hanson indicated that since the campus started a study abroad program, they’ve gotten a lot of interest from students. “I think that if they actually meet students from all over the world, then that would increase the interest of our domestic students wanting to travel abroad,” she said.
International faculty and students will give a comparative analysis of the educational systems in their countries and the U.S. during the Brown Bag Session on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The next day, Nov. 15, there will be a study abroad table outside of Cafe ’65 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students interested in learning about study abroad options can speak with an advisor and learn about different programs being offered.
The week also includes an International Affairs Open House Nov. 15 from 1-3 p.m. in Main Hall 106. The open house is a chance for the university and community to meet the International Affairs staff and find out what activities the office has planned.
This is the first year the campus has also had an international affairs office, and “this is the first year that UCCS has had an international week,” Hanson said. “I hope this becomes an annual event.”