See the world through International Educational Week
Posted on: November 20, 2015; Updated on: November 20, 2015
By Ore Oluwole, stucomm@mailbox.sc.edu
International Education Week is here and with it comes another year of recognizing the university’s global community.
Hosted by International Student Services, this is a week full of events that promote and celebrate international exchange worldwide from Nov. 16-20. The purpose of International Education Week is to enhance communication between different cultures at the university and to help develop global-ready graduates. Ever since 2004, the University of South Carolina has joined this global event that corresponds with the joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education.
The Study Abroad Office, the Global Cafe at the Darla Moore School of Business, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the International House at Maxcy College have all collaborated with International Student Services to offer a variety of activities that students, faculty and staff can participate in to promote and celebrate international exchange, cultural competence and dialogue.
The week kicks off with an International Bazaar Monday from 11a.m.–2 p.m. on Greene Street and Davis Field. One of the week's spotlight events, it celebrates cultures from around the world with dancing, music, food and creative displays.
The week is full of hands-on activities, too, like guided meditations, an international scavenger hunt and workshops for understanding cross-cultural communication styles and increasing intercultural competence. There’s also an international film screening, food festival, study abroad panel, diversity dialogue and more.
Through all the events, international and domestic students, who don’t always have an opportunity to interact, are given the chance to engage in activities that demonstrate inclusiveness and cultural awareness.
When it comes to bringing diverse populations together, Jody Pritt, director of International Student Services is looking forward to these interactions.
"Students will have an opportunity to interact with someone from a different country and hopefully see the value in building relationships with people from different walks of life,” Pritt said. “But also, all students will see that UofSC is a globally diverse community and that the university values international activity.”
All these events have an interwoven theme of diversity that provides a deeper cultural context — through experiences — to educate and promote the university’s global community.
Learn more
Visit the International Student Services website to find all you need to know about International Education Week.
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