The Office of International Affairs will host the annual International Education Week from Nov. 12 – 16 with campus-wide events and programs that highlight the international initiatives and cultural awareness at NSU.
According to the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education, ‘International Education Week’ is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative is promoted to prepare individuals and institutions for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences.
At NSU, the Office of International Affairs along with the Razor’s Edge Global Scholars will host events to bring together student leaders, departments, programs, and campuses in celebration of the internationalization at NSU. Events throughout the week aim to engage the campus in global issues, empower students to pursue international experiences, and celebrate all of the diverse cultures represented on campus.
IEW kicks off Nov. 12 with an Opening Ceremony in the Alvin Sherman Library quad from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. This ceremony will showcase a parade in which students from various countries will hold their country’s flag and parade around the campus beginning at the Horvitz building, going around the Gold Lake and ending at the library quad. This will allow international students to connect and interact with each other, displaying the diverse culture at NSU.
On Nov.14, the diverse student organizations on campus will host The Multicultural Fair at the HPD Terry Building Clocktower Courtyard from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to spread awareness on the cultural diversity at NSU. This event provides free food, giveaways, and a pleasant ambience with great music.
Various organizations will also come together from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the ‘Breaking Stereotypes: A Discussion and Celebration’ workshop at the Don Taft University Center.
Graduate Assistant for the Office of International Affairs, Sarah Brandt said, this event will include a discussion on stereotypes, on how to break those stereotypes and overcome them. From there, it will go into a celebration on how the organizations want to be recognized, what parts of their culture they want to share. They want to give students the right experience by portraying it properly.
Informational workshops such as Mini-Language Lessons with the Testing & Tutoring Center, Tips for Writing an Application Essay, Dating Across Cultures, Research Around the World, Career Advice and Pizza Slice, etc., will be held throughout the week. These workshops are a great opportunity to learn more about the global environment and engage with other students.
On Nov.16 the Office of International Affairs will sponsor the Global Village event at the Don Taft University Center from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event gives international as well as domestic students, an opportunity to represent and share their culture/country pride with the entire NSU community.
“By giving them the opportunity to share their culture and show international students that we care and that we want to learn more about where they are from, makes them feel more welcomed into our community,” Brandt said.
Various workshops like Sharks Abroad Info Session, OPT F-1 workshop, CPT F-1 workshop, H1-B & Beyond, etc., will be conducted on Nov.12, Nov.13, and Nov. 15. These workshops will cover the basics of finding, preparing and completing requirements for study abroad programs, tips and guidelines regarding OPT and CPT through F-1 visas, the process of sponsorship through H1-B, and information regarding permanent residency based on employment. These events require pre-registration.
Other activities include a movie night with the Nature Club, yoga and meditation sessions offered by SKY Meditation and Yoga, and NSU’s Amazing Race based on the popular reality show The Amazing Race. Here, participants in teams of two complete challenges related to the seven modern wonders of the world. This is a pre-registration event and the registration deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Students will also get to experience different kinds of international foods offered by Chartwells at the Razor’s Reef, Don Taft University Center during lunch time.
Brandt said she expects this year’s events to be more student-led as it is the best way to find out what students want. This way students can connect to their peers easily and without any hesitation.
She said, “celebrating cultures, promoting diversity, and raising awareness about globalization for all students so that they realize that globalization is becoming a very a common thing and knowing how to interact in a global market is something that should be upheld in any institution.”
For more information on the events please visit the Office of International Affairs page on the NSU website or contact Sarah Brandt at sb3002@nova.edu.
