The international community at the University of Wyoming promotes cultural diversity and global engagement during the International Education week on campus.
The whole week, Nov. 13 – 18, Global Engagement office, including International Students & Scholars, Education Abroad offices and English Language Center organized special events to show the diversity of countries represented on campus, opportunities provided by the university to go abroad, and emphasize the importance of the English language as the language of international communications.
The week has started with the Country Display Monday and will end Saturday night with the Etiquette Dinner.
“It is a good time on campus, as people have a chance to learn a lot about our international students and about activities they could be doing out of the United States,” Director of the Global Engagement Office, Carrie Hesco said.
Three offices; ISS, Education Abroad and ELC are the part of Global Engagement Office that invite the UW community to visit different events throughout the week and learn more about the life of foreign students on campus, and exchange programs provided by the university and activities of the language center.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to highlight all of the international activities we have on campus. It gives us a way to showcase lots of different international events that we provide support services to,” Education Abroad Director, Shelley Jewell said. “And I think this year is very special, as now we all are the part of Global Engagement Office. It’s a great way to highlight that three of our offices are working together.”
International Students & Scholars Office together with International Students Association organize a variety of activities, such as Country Table Display, belly dancing workshop, and the Etiquette Dinner, on campus to promote cultural sharing.
“There are different events, organized by different organizations, that are happening during this week,” Director of ISS office, Jill Johnson said. “On Monday we have country display tables. So, individuals from different countries put their tables in the Union Breezeway, decorate them with their souvenirs and information on their culture. Anyone could come up and ask questions and learn more about the place where our students come from.”
Tuesday night the film ‘Girl Rising’ will be showing. The film portrays the economic impact of the diverse educated women especially those from developing nations. After the showing there will be a moderated panel discussion, Johnson said.
Wednesday night Dilnoza Khasilova, the former President of Central Asian Students Association, will be teaching belly dancing in the Skylight Lounge from 5 to 7 p.m.
“On Thursday we will be doing a service project, called Winter Clothing Drive, when people could bring some blankets and other winter clothes. We would box it up and donate them to Interfaith, the company that supports families in need,” Johnson said.
Friday is the International Night and gives attendees the opportunity to learn more about countries on the cultural level.
“Saturday there is an Etiquette Dinner, Johnson said. “It is the main event, where we will be focusing on Latin America, learning about their meal time, traditional food, table etiquette and things like that, and watch cultural performances.”
The Education Abroad office gives the UW public an opportunity to learn about travelling tips, the experience of studying, interning, or volunteering abroad, and having an alternative break at a foreign university.
Also, on Thursday the Education Abroad office will announce the results of the photo competition, and the winning photographs will be displayed in Cheney International Center.
“It’s important for people here on campus in the state of Wyoming to realize that we have a lot of international students and learn more about them,” Hesco said. “It’s a chance for them to know more about the world, whether that means going out and studying somewhere, or just learning about a culture by knowing people around.”
